LESSON OF THE DAY 507

Ayah of the Day:
And God made things that create shade for you, and made shelters of the mountains for you, and made you garments to protect you from the heat, and mail to protect you against your violence. Thus does God complete Divine favor to you, that you may acquiesce. [16: 81]

Hadith of the Day:
Make much remembrance of the destroyer of pleasures (i.e. death) [Tirmidhi & Ahmad]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The key to knowledge is intelligent questions and listening attentively. [Imam al Mannawi]

Guidance of the Day:
Look for Extraordinary in the Ordinary. I have heard a story about two workers who were approached by a reporter. The reporter asked the first worker, "What are you doing"? His response was to complain that he was virtually a slave, an underpaid bricklayer who spent his days wasting his time, placing bricks on top of one another. The reporter asked the second worker the same question. His response, however, was quite different. "I'm the luckiest person in the world," he said. "I get to be a part of important and beautiful pieces of architecture. I help turn simple pieces of brick into exquisite masterpieces.

They were both right. The truth is, we see in life what we want to see. If you search for ugliness you'll find plenty of it. If you want to find fault with other people, your career, or the world in general, you'll certainly be able to do so. But the opposite is also true. If you look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, you can train yourself to see it. This bricklayer sees cathedrals within pieces of brick. The question is can you? Can you see the extraordinary synchronicity that exists in our world; the perfection of the universe in action; the extraordinary beauty of nature; the incredible miracle of human life? To me, it's all a matter of intention. There is so much to be grateful for, so much to be in awe about. Life is precious and extraordinary. Put your attention on this fact and little, ordinary things will take on a whole new meaning. [Don't Sweat The Small Stuff]

Food for Thought:
Looking into the mirror and disliking the self that you take with you everywhere you go is one of the most self-defeating things you can do.