LESSON OF THE DAY 505

Ayah of the Day:
Don't they look at the birds, suspended in the air in the sky? Nothing holds them up except God. Surely there are signs in that for people who believe. [16: 79]

Hadith of the Day:
The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his sadaqa. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The strength in one's resolve is that one does not leave for tomorrow what one can do today. [Omar radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Be Open to "What Is". One of the most basic spiritual principles in many philosophies is the idea of opening your heart to "what is" insisting that life be a certain way. This idea is so important because much of our internal struggle stems from our desire to control life, to insist that it be different than it actually is. But life isn't always the way we would like it to be--it is simply the way it is. The greater our surrender to the truth of the moment, the greater will be our peace of mind. When we have preconceived ideas about the way life should be, they interfere with our opportunity to enjoy or learn from the present moment. This prevents us from honoring what we are going through, which may be an opportunity for great awakening.

Rather than reacting to a child's complaining or your spouse's disapproval, try opening your heart and accepting the moment for what is. Take a deep breath and soften your response. You open your heart in these ways, not to pretend that you enjoy complaints, disapproval, or failure, but to transcend them--to make it all right with you that life isn't performing the way you planned. If you can learn to open your heart in the midst of difficulties of daily life, you'll soon find that many of the things that have always bothered you will cease to be concerns. Your perspective will deepen.

When you fight that which you struggle with, life can be quite a battle, almost like a Ping-Pong game where you are the ball. But when you surrender to the moment, accept what is going on, make it okay, more peaceful feelings will begin to emerge. Try this technique on some of the little challenges you face. Gradually you will be able to extend the same awareness to bigger things. This is a truly powerful way to live. [Don't Sweat The Small Stuff]

Food for Thought:
Life presents itself to you and asks nothing of you. You can take life and swim deliriously through it, or you can fight it. But when you elect to spend your time fighting it, you can't use the same time to enjoy it.