LESSON OF THE DAY 486

Ayahs of the Day:
We never sent before you any but men whom We inspired--so ask the people with the Reminder, if you do not know--with clarifications and scriptures. And We revealed to you the Reminder, that you might clarify to people what had been revealed to them, and that they might reflect. [16: 43,44]

Hadith of the Day:
One who cares for widows and the poor is like those who fight in the way of Allah or those who spend their days fasting and their nights praying. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Rein in your tongue from complaining about others, and you will be granted a life of happiness. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Remember that you become what you practice most. Repeated practice is one of the most basic principles of most spiritual and meditative paths. In other words, whatever you practice most is what you will become. If you are in the habit of being uptight whenever life isn't quite right, repeatedly reacting to criticism by defending yourself, insisting on being right, allowing your thinking to snowball in response to adversity, or acting like life is an emergency, then, unfortunately, your life will be a reflection of this kind of practice. You will be frustrated because, in a sense, you have practiced being frustrated.

Likewise, however, you can choose to bring forth in yourself qualities of compassion, patience, kindness, humility, and peace--again, through what you practice. It's safe to say that practice makes perfect. It makes sense, then, to be careful what you practice.

This isn't to suggest that you make your entire life into a great project where the goal is to be constantly improving yourself. Only that it's immensely helpful to become conscious of your own habits, both internal and external. Where is your attention? How do you spend your time? Are you cultivating habits that are helpful to your stated goals? Is what you say you want your life to stand for consistent with what your life really stands for? Simply asking yourself these and other important questions, and answering them honestly, helps to determine which strategies will be most useful to you.

Sadly,many people spend far more time washing their car or watching reruns of television shows they don't even enjoy than making time for aspects of life that nurture their hearts. If you remember that what you practice you will become, you may begin choosing different types of practice. [Don't Sweat The Small Stuff]

Food for Thought:
You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen as long as you keep yourself centered. The elevator to success is out of order. You're going to take the stairway, one step at a time.