Ayahs of the Day:
Praise be to God, Who revealed the Book to a devotee, putting no distortion in it. So it is straight, to warn of severe vengeance from God, and to bring glad news to believers who do good works, that there is an excellent reward for them, wherein they will abide forever. [18: 1,2,3]
Hadith of the Day:
Speak the truth even though it be bitter. [Ibn Hibban]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that the Pharaoh's vast wealth caused him to say, "Truly I'm deserving of your worship." Whereas the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) vast knowledge caused him to say, "Truly we have not worshipped You as You deserve to be worshipped. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Saying No: For many of us, the most difficult word to say is one of the shortest and easiest in the vocabulary: No.
No--simple to pronounce, hard to say. We are afraid people won't like us, or we feel guilty. We may believe that a "good" employee, child, parent, spouse, or a friend never says no. The problem is, if we don't learn to say no, we stop liking ourselves and the people we always try to please. We may even punish others out of resentment.
When do we say no? When no is what we really mean. When we learn to say no, we stop lying. People can trust us, and we can trust ourselves. All sorts of good things happen when we start saying what we mean. If we are scared to say no, we can buy some time. We can take a break, rehearse the word, and go back and say no. We don't have to offer long explanations for our decisions. When we say no, we can say yes to good. Our no's and our yes's begin to be taken seriously. We gain control of ourselves. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
In helping others, we help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 591
Ayah of the Day:
And say, "Praise be to God, who has not begotten a son and has no partner in dominion, and needs no protector from abasement; extol the greatness of God. [17: 111]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not belittle any act of kindness, even that of greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that wealth tends to create enemies, whereas knowledge tends to warm hearts, and that knowledge results in the heart's illumination, whereas wealth results in its agitation. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Solving Problems: Problems are made to be solved! Some of us spend more time reacting to the fact that we have a problem than we do solving the problem. Problems are inevitable. Some problems can be anticipated. Some are surprises. But the idea that problems occur regularly need never be a surprise. The good news is that for every problem, there's a solution. Sometimes the solution is immediate. Sometimes, it takes awhile to discover. Sometimes, the solution involves letting go. Sometimes, the problem is ours to solve; sometimes it isn't.
Sometimes, there is something we can clearly do to solve the problem; other times, we need to struggle, flounder, do our part, then trust our Higher Power for help. Sometimes, the problem is just part of life. Sometimes, the problem is important because we are learning something through the problem and its solution. Sometimes, problems end up working out for good in our life. They get us headed in a direction that is superior to one we may otherwise have taken. Sometimes, problems just are; sometimes they are a warning sign that we are on the wrong track.
We can learn to accept problems as an inevitable part of life. We can learn to solve problems. We can learn to identify which problems are trying to lead us in a new direction, and which simply ask for solving. We can learn to focus on the solution rather than on the problem, and maintain a positive attitude toward life and the inevitable flow of problems and solutions. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
When we spend most of our lives competing to see who is best, or who has the most possessions, we may truly feel that our lives are very empty. Getting wisdom is the most important thing we can do.
And say, "Praise be to God, who has not begotten a son and has no partner in dominion, and needs no protector from abasement; extol the greatness of God. [17: 111]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not belittle any act of kindness, even that of greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that wealth tends to create enemies, whereas knowledge tends to warm hearts, and that knowledge results in the heart's illumination, whereas wealth results in its agitation. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Solving Problems: Problems are made to be solved! Some of us spend more time reacting to the fact that we have a problem than we do solving the problem. Problems are inevitable. Some problems can be anticipated. Some are surprises. But the idea that problems occur regularly need never be a surprise. The good news is that for every problem, there's a solution. Sometimes the solution is immediate. Sometimes, it takes awhile to discover. Sometimes, the solution involves letting go. Sometimes, the problem is ours to solve; sometimes it isn't.
Sometimes, there is something we can clearly do to solve the problem; other times, we need to struggle, flounder, do our part, then trust our Higher Power for help. Sometimes, the problem is just part of life. Sometimes, the problem is important because we are learning something through the problem and its solution. Sometimes, problems end up working out for good in our life. They get us headed in a direction that is superior to one we may otherwise have taken. Sometimes, problems just are; sometimes they are a warning sign that we are on the wrong track.
We can learn to accept problems as an inevitable part of life. We can learn to solve problems. We can learn to identify which problems are trying to lead us in a new direction, and which simply ask for solving. We can learn to focus on the solution rather than on the problem, and maintain a positive attitude toward life and the inevitable flow of problems and solutions. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
When we spend most of our lives competing to see who is best, or who has the most possessions, we may truly feel that our lives are very empty. Getting wisdom is the most important thing we can do.
Friday, July 28, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 590
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "Invoke God, or invoke the Benevolent: however you invoke the deity, the most beautiful names are appropriate. And do not pray too loudly or too softly, but seek a way between them." [17: 110]
Hadith of the Day:
Never express joy at your fellow man's afflictions, for God just might free him of them and afflict you. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that the possessor of the wealth may be known as a miser, whereas the possessor of knowledge can only be known as generous. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
In Between: Sometimes, to get from where we are to where we are going, we have to be in-between. One of the hardest is the concept of letting go of the old and familiar, but what we don't want, and being willing to stand with our hands empty while we wait for God to fill them. This may apply to feelings. We may have been full of hurt and anger. In some ways, these feelings may have become comfortably familiar. When we finally face and relinquish our grief, we may feel empty for a time. We are in between pain and joy of serenity and acceptance.
Being in-between can apply to relationships, jobs, careers, homes, or goals. We can be in-between behaviors as we let go of the old and are not certain what we will replace it with. We may have many feelings going on when we are in-between: spurts of grief about what we have let go of or lost, and feelings of anxiety fear, and apprehension about what's ahead. These are normal feelings for in-between place. Accept them. Feel them. Release them.
Being in-between isn't fun, but it's necessary. It will not last forever. It may feel like we are standing still, but we are not. We are standing at the in-between place. It's how we get from here to there. It is not the destination. We are moving forward even when we are in-between. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.
Say, "Invoke God, or invoke the Benevolent: however you invoke the deity, the most beautiful names are appropriate. And do not pray too loudly or too softly, but seek a way between them." [17: 110]
Hadith of the Day:
Never express joy at your fellow man's afflictions, for God just might free him of them and afflict you. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that the possessor of the wealth may be known as a miser, whereas the possessor of knowledge can only be known as generous. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
In Between: Sometimes, to get from where we are to where we are going, we have to be in-between. One of the hardest is the concept of letting go of the old and familiar, but what we don't want, and being willing to stand with our hands empty while we wait for God to fill them. This may apply to feelings. We may have been full of hurt and anger. In some ways, these feelings may have become comfortably familiar. When we finally face and relinquish our grief, we may feel empty for a time. We are in between pain and joy of serenity and acceptance.
Being in-between can apply to relationships, jobs, careers, homes, or goals. We can be in-between behaviors as we let go of the old and are not certain what we will replace it with. We may have many feelings going on when we are in-between: spurts of grief about what we have let go of or lost, and feelings of anxiety fear, and apprehension about what's ahead. These are normal feelings for in-between place. Accept them. Feel them. Release them.
Being in-between isn't fun, but it's necessary. It will not last forever. It may feel like we are standing still, but we are not. We are standing at the in-between place. It's how we get from here to there. It is not the destination. We are moving forward even when we are in-between. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 589
Ayahs of the Day:
And they say, "Glory to our Lord! Behold--the promise of our Lord is fulfilled!" They fall on their faces weeping, and it increases their humility. [17: 108,109]
Hadith of the Day:
A person's spiritual practice is only as good as that of his close friends; so consider well whom you befriend. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
For the intimate friends of Allah nothing in the world is more difficult than keeping the ego under control. [Shaykh al Junayd]
Guidance of the Day:
Gratitude: Say thank you, until you mean it. Thank God for everyone and everything sent your way. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Gratitude makes things right. Gratitude turns negative energy into positive. There is no situation or circumstance so small or large that it is not susceptible to gratitude's power. We can start with who we are and what we have today, apply gratitude, then let it work its magic. Say thank you, until you mean it. If you say it long enough, you will believe it. Try to shine the transforming light of gratitude on all the circumstances of your life. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
If we can't do anything about the circumstance, we can change our attitude. We have been given a miraculous key to life. It is important to be purposeful than happy, and more important to be happy than rich.
And they say, "Glory to our Lord! Behold--the promise of our Lord is fulfilled!" They fall on their faces weeping, and it increases their humility. [17: 108,109]
Hadith of the Day:
A person's spiritual practice is only as good as that of his close friends; so consider well whom you befriend. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
For the intimate friends of Allah nothing in the world is more difficult than keeping the ego under control. [Shaykh al Junayd]
Guidance of the Day:
Gratitude: Say thank you, until you mean it. Thank God for everyone and everything sent your way. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Gratitude makes things right. Gratitude turns negative energy into positive. There is no situation or circumstance so small or large that it is not susceptible to gratitude's power. We can start with who we are and what we have today, apply gratitude, then let it work its magic. Say thank you, until you mean it. If you say it long enough, you will believe it. Try to shine the transforming light of gratitude on all the circumstances of your life. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
If we can't do anything about the circumstance, we can change our attitude. We have been given a miraculous key to life. It is important to be purposeful than happy, and more important to be happy than rich.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 588
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "Whether you believe in it or not, those to whom knowledge was given before you fall on their faces humbly when it is recited to them: [17: 107]
Hadith of the Day:
If a man's actions slow him down, his good name (his lineage) will not speed him up. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you do not act according to your knowledge today, and you do not make amends for days gone-by, you will say tomorrow on the day of Resurrection, "Send us back and we will act virtuously!" And it will be replied, "Fool! You have just come from there!" [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
Making it Happen: Stop trying so hard to make it happen. Stop doing so much, if doing so much is wearing you out or not achieving the desired results. Stop thinking so much and so hard about it. Stop worrying so about it. Stop trying to force, to manipulate, to coerce, or to make it happen. Making things happen is controlling. We can take positive action to help things happen. We can do our part. But many of us do much more than our part. Controlling is self-defeating. It doesn't work. By over-extending ourselves to make something happen, we may actually be stopping it from happening.
Do your part in relaxed, peaceful harmony. Then let it go. Just let it go. Force yourself to let it go, if necessary. Put as much energy into letting go as you have into trying to control. You will get much better results. It may not happen. It may not happen the way we wanted it to and hoped it would. But our controlling wouldn't have made it happen either. Learn to let things happen because that's what they'll do anyway. And while we are waiting to see what happens, we'll be happier and so will those around us. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Watch, wait. Time will unfold and reveal its purpose. Patience cannot be forced. It is a gift, one that closely follows acceptance and gratitude.
Say, "Whether you believe in it or not, those to whom knowledge was given before you fall on their faces humbly when it is recited to them: [17: 107]
Hadith of the Day:
If a man's actions slow him down, his good name (his lineage) will not speed him up. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you do not act according to your knowledge today, and you do not make amends for days gone-by, you will say tomorrow on the day of Resurrection, "Send us back and we will act virtuously!" And it will be replied, "Fool! You have just come from there!" [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
Making it Happen: Stop trying so hard to make it happen. Stop doing so much, if doing so much is wearing you out or not achieving the desired results. Stop thinking so much and so hard about it. Stop worrying so about it. Stop trying to force, to manipulate, to coerce, or to make it happen. Making things happen is controlling. We can take positive action to help things happen. We can do our part. But many of us do much more than our part. Controlling is self-defeating. It doesn't work. By over-extending ourselves to make something happen, we may actually be stopping it from happening.
Do your part in relaxed, peaceful harmony. Then let it go. Just let it go. Force yourself to let it go, if necessary. Put as much energy into letting go as you have into trying to control. You will get much better results. It may not happen. It may not happen the way we wanted it to and hoped it would. But our controlling wouldn't have made it happen either. Learn to let things happen because that's what they'll do anyway. And while we are waiting to see what happens, we'll be happier and so will those around us. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Watch, wait. Time will unfold and reveal its purpose. Patience cannot be forced. It is a gift, one that closely follows acceptance and gratitude.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 587
Ayah of the Day:
And We have divided the Recital so you could recite it to people in segments, with logical stops: We have discharged it by sending down inspirations. [17: 106]
Hadith of the Day:
The intelligent one is he who has subdued his lower self and who has worked for what comes after death, and the stupid one is he who has put his lower self in pursuance of its desires and who has vain hopes about Allah. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that holding on to wealth over an extended period of time decreases its value, whereas no such harm can come to knowledge, and that there is always a fear of wealth being stolen, not so with knowledge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Letting go of Resistance: Do not be in such a hurry to move on. Relax. Breathe deeply. Be in harmony today. Be open. There is beauty around and in us today. There is purpose and meaning in today. There is importance in today -- not so much in what happens to us, but in how we respond. Let today happen. We learn our lessons, we work things out, we change in a simple fashion: by living our life fully today. Do not worry about tomorrow's feelings, problems, or gifts. Everything we need today shall be given to us. That is a promise -- from God.
Feel today's feelings. Solve today's problems. Enjoy today's gifts. Trust your Higher Power today. Acquire the art of living fully today. Absorb the lessons, the healing, the beauty, the love available to us today. Do not be in such a rush to move on. There is no hurry. We cannot escape; we only postpone. Let the feelings go; breathe in peace and healing. Don't run from yourself, your circumstances, or your feelings. Be open to yourself, others, your Higher Power, and life. Trust that by facing today to the best of your ability, you will acquire the skills you need to face tomorrow. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Look backward with gratitude and forward with confidence. Sometimes the bridge between despair and hope is just a good night sleep. Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.
And We have divided the Recital so you could recite it to people in segments, with logical stops: We have discharged it by sending down inspirations. [17: 106]
Hadith of the Day:
The intelligent one is he who has subdued his lower self and who has worked for what comes after death, and the stupid one is he who has put his lower self in pursuance of its desires and who has vain hopes about Allah. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that holding on to wealth over an extended period of time decreases its value, whereas no such harm can come to knowledge, and that there is always a fear of wealth being stolen, not so with knowledge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Letting go of Resistance: Do not be in such a hurry to move on. Relax. Breathe deeply. Be in harmony today. Be open. There is beauty around and in us today. There is purpose and meaning in today. There is importance in today -- not so much in what happens to us, but in how we respond. Let today happen. We learn our lessons, we work things out, we change in a simple fashion: by living our life fully today. Do not worry about tomorrow's feelings, problems, or gifts. Everything we need today shall be given to us. That is a promise -- from God.
Feel today's feelings. Solve today's problems. Enjoy today's gifts. Trust your Higher Power today. Acquire the art of living fully today. Absorb the lessons, the healing, the beauty, the love available to us today. Do not be in such a rush to move on. There is no hurry. We cannot escape; we only postpone. Let the feelings go; breathe in peace and healing. Don't run from yourself, your circumstances, or your feelings. Be open to yourself, others, your Higher Power, and life. Trust that by facing today to the best of your ability, you will acquire the skills you need to face tomorrow. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Look backward with gratitude and forward with confidence. Sometimes the bridge between despair and hope is just a good night sleep. Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Monday, July 24, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 586
Ayah of the Day:
And We sent down revelation truthfully, and the revelation came down truthfully. And We only sent you as a herald and a warner. [17: 105]
Hadith of the Day:
God has never dignified anyone due to his ignorance, nor humiliated anyone due to his knowledge. And wealth is never diminished as a result of charity. [Daylami]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that while wealth is what was left behind by the likes of Fir'aun and Hamaan, knowledge is the inherited legacy of the Prophets themselves, and that on the Day of judgment it is your wealth you will be answerable for not your knowledge. [Ali radi allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Proving It to Ourselves: Trying to prove how good we are, trying to prove we are good enough, trying to show someone how much he or she has hurt us, trying to show someone we are understanding, are warning signs that we may be into our self-defeating behaviors. They can be an indication that we are trying to control someone. They can be an indication that we are not believing how good we are, that we are good enough, that someone is hurting us.
They can be warning that we have allowed ourselves to get hooked into a dysfunctional system. They may indicate that we are stuck in that cloudy fog of denial or doing something that is not good for us. Trying excessively to make a point with another may mean that we have not yet made that point with ourselves. Once we make that point with ourselves, once we understand, we will know what to do.
The issue is not about others are understanding and taking us seriously. The issue is not about others believing we are good and good enough. The issue is not about others seeing and believing how responsible or loving or competent we are. The issue is not about whether others realize how deeply we are feeling a particular feeling. We are the ones that need to see the light. Let go of your need to control outcomes by influencing the beliefs of others, concentrate on accepting yourself, rather than trying to prove something about yourself. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.
And We sent down revelation truthfully, and the revelation came down truthfully. And We only sent you as a herald and a warner. [17: 105]
Hadith of the Day:
God has never dignified anyone due to his ignorance, nor humiliated anyone due to his knowledge. And wealth is never diminished as a result of charity. [Daylami]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that while wealth is what was left behind by the likes of Fir'aun and Hamaan, knowledge is the inherited legacy of the Prophets themselves, and that on the Day of judgment it is your wealth you will be answerable for not your knowledge. [Ali radi allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Proving It to Ourselves: Trying to prove how good we are, trying to prove we are good enough, trying to show someone how much he or she has hurt us, trying to show someone we are understanding, are warning signs that we may be into our self-defeating behaviors. They can be an indication that we are trying to control someone. They can be an indication that we are not believing how good we are, that we are good enough, that someone is hurting us.
They can be warning that we have allowed ourselves to get hooked into a dysfunctional system. They may indicate that we are stuck in that cloudy fog of denial or doing something that is not good for us. Trying excessively to make a point with another may mean that we have not yet made that point with ourselves. Once we make that point with ourselves, once we understand, we will know what to do.
The issue is not about others are understanding and taking us seriously. The issue is not about others believing we are good and good enough. The issue is not about others seeing and believing how responsible or loving or competent we are. The issue is not about whether others realize how deeply we are feeling a particular feeling. We are the ones that need to see the light. Let go of your need to control outcomes by influencing the beliefs of others, concentrate on accepting yourself, rather than trying to prove something about yourself. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 585
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "If you controlled the treasuries of the mercy of my Lord, you would surely withhold them for fear of spending; for man is very stingy. [17: 100]
Hadith of the Day:
A young man never honors an old man due to age but that God sends someone to honor him when he reaches that age. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that the knowledge will look after you, but you must look after the wealth, and that spending wealth only diminishes it, whereas, spending knowledge increases it. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Letting Go of Fear of Abandonment: There are wondrous days when we feel God's protection and presence, leading and guiding each step and event. There are gray, dry days of spiritual barrenness when we wonder if anything in our life is guided or planned. Wondering if God knows or cares. Seek quiet times on the gray days. Force discipline and obedience until the answer comes, because it will. Soon you will see, and know. We can learn to trust God. God is real. Loving. Good. Caring. God wants to give us all the good we can handle.
The more we turn our mind and heart toward a positive understanding of God, the more God validates us. The more we thank God for who God is, who we are, and the exact nature of our present circumstances, the more God acts in our behalf. In fact, all along, God planned to act in our behalf. God is Creator, Benefactor, and Source. God has shown me, beyond all else, that how I come to understand God is not nearly as important as knowing that God understands me.
Remember that God has not abandoned you. You can trust that God is leading, guiding, directing, and planning in love each detail of your life. Try to grow in your understanding of your Higher Power, try to be open to letting go of old, limiting, negative beliefs about God. Even if you don't understand God fully, be grateful that God understands you. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. The secret of abundance is to stop focusing on what you do not have, and shift your consciousness to an appreciation to all that you are and all that you have.
Say, "If you controlled the treasuries of the mercy of my Lord, you would surely withhold them for fear of spending; for man is very stingy. [17: 100]
Hadith of the Day:
A young man never honors an old man due to age but that God sends someone to honor him when he reaches that age. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The superiority of amassing knowledge over wealth is that the knowledge will look after you, but you must look after the wealth, and that spending wealth only diminishes it, whereas, spending knowledge increases it. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Letting Go of Fear of Abandonment: There are wondrous days when we feel God's protection and presence, leading and guiding each step and event. There are gray, dry days of spiritual barrenness when we wonder if anything in our life is guided or planned. Wondering if God knows or cares. Seek quiet times on the gray days. Force discipline and obedience until the answer comes, because it will. Soon you will see, and know. We can learn to trust God. God is real. Loving. Good. Caring. God wants to give us all the good we can handle.
The more we turn our mind and heart toward a positive understanding of God, the more God validates us. The more we thank God for who God is, who we are, and the exact nature of our present circumstances, the more God acts in our behalf. In fact, all along, God planned to act in our behalf. God is Creator, Benefactor, and Source. God has shown me, beyond all else, that how I come to understand God is not nearly as important as knowing that God understands me.
Remember that God has not abandoned you. You can trust that God is leading, guiding, directing, and planning in love each detail of your life. Try to grow in your understanding of your Higher Power, try to be open to letting go of old, limiting, negative beliefs about God. Even if you don't understand God fully, be grateful that God understands you. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. The secret of abundance is to stop focusing on what you do not have, and shift your consciousness to an appreciation to all that you are and all that you have.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 584
Ayah of the Day:
Don't they see that God, Who created the heavens and the earth, is able to create their like, and has set them a term in which their is no doubt? But those in error refuse, except ungratefully. [17: 99]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever fails to care for our youth, respect our aged, enjoin right, and denounce wrong is not counted among us. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A friend cannot be considered a friend until he is tested in three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Bring Any Request to God: Bring any request you have to God. No request is too large; none too small or insignificant. How often we limit God by not bringing to God everything we want and need. Do we need help getting through our balance? Getting through our day? Do we need help in particular relationship? With a particular character defect? Attaining a character asset? Do we need help making progress on a particular task that is challenging us? Do we need help with a feeling? Do we want to change a self-defeating belief that has been challenging us? Do we need information, an insight? Support? A friend?
Is there something in God's universe that would really bring us joy? We can ask for it. We can ask God for whatever we want. Put the request in God's hands, trusting it has been heard, then let it go. Leave the decision to God. Asking for what we want and need is taking care of ourselves. Trust that the Higher Power to Whom we have turned over our life and will really does care about us and about what we want and need. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food For Thought:
Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile. People will forget what you said...people will forget what you did...but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Don't they see that God, Who created the heavens and the earth, is able to create their like, and has set them a term in which their is no doubt? But those in error refuse, except ungratefully. [17: 99]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever fails to care for our youth, respect our aged, enjoin right, and denounce wrong is not counted among us. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A friend cannot be considered a friend until he is tested in three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Bring Any Request to God: Bring any request you have to God. No request is too large; none too small or insignificant. How often we limit God by not bringing to God everything we want and need. Do we need help getting through our balance? Getting through our day? Do we need help in particular relationship? With a particular character defect? Attaining a character asset? Do we need help making progress on a particular task that is challenging us? Do we need help with a feeling? Do we want to change a self-defeating belief that has been challenging us? Do we need information, an insight? Support? A friend?
Is there something in God's universe that would really bring us joy? We can ask for it. We can ask God for whatever we want. Put the request in God's hands, trusting it has been heard, then let it go. Leave the decision to God. Asking for what we want and need is taking care of ourselves. Trust that the Higher Power to Whom we have turned over our life and will really does care about us and about what we want and need. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food For Thought:
Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile. People will forget what you said...people will forget what you did...but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Friday, July 21, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 583
Ayah of the Day:
We have set forth every ideal to humanity in this Recital, but most people refuse, except with ingratitude. [17: 89]
Hadith of the Day:
God condemns a man who dresses like a woman or a woman who dresses like a man. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God says, "I have created you, your moments, your breaths, your possessions, your lives. If they are expended on Me, if you give them to Me, the price of them is everlasting Paradise. This is your worth in My sight. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
God's Will: God's will most often happens in spite of us, not because of us. We may try to second guess what God has in mind for us, looking, searching, hyper vigilant to seek God's will as though it were a buried treasure hidden, beyond our reach. God's will for us is not hidden like a buried treasure. It is right there inside and around us. It is happening right now. Sometimes, it is quiet and uneventful and includes the daily disciplines of responsibility and learning to take care of ourselves. Sometimes, it is healing us when we are in circumstances that trigger old grieving and unfinished business.
Sometimes it is grand. We do have a part. We have responsibilities, including caring for ourselves. But we do not have to control God's will for us. We are being taken care of. We are protected. And the Power caring for and protecting us loves us very much. If it is a quiet day, trust the stillness. If it is a day of action, trust the activity. If it is time to wait, trust the pause. If it is time to receive that which we have been waiting for, trust that it will happen clearly and with power, and receive the gift in joy. [The Language of Letting Go].
Food for Thought:
Making a "living" is not the same as making a "life". If you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing your very best you can, happiness will find you.
We have set forth every ideal to humanity in this Recital, but most people refuse, except with ingratitude. [17: 89]
Hadith of the Day:
God condemns a man who dresses like a woman or a woman who dresses like a man. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God says, "I have created you, your moments, your breaths, your possessions, your lives. If they are expended on Me, if you give them to Me, the price of them is everlasting Paradise. This is your worth in My sight. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
God's Will: God's will most often happens in spite of us, not because of us. We may try to second guess what God has in mind for us, looking, searching, hyper vigilant to seek God's will as though it were a buried treasure hidden, beyond our reach. God's will for us is not hidden like a buried treasure. It is right there inside and around us. It is happening right now. Sometimes, it is quiet and uneventful and includes the daily disciplines of responsibility and learning to take care of ourselves. Sometimes, it is healing us when we are in circumstances that trigger old grieving and unfinished business.
Sometimes it is grand. We do have a part. We have responsibilities, including caring for ourselves. But we do not have to control God's will for us. We are being taken care of. We are protected. And the Power caring for and protecting us loves us very much. If it is a quiet day, trust the stillness. If it is a day of action, trust the activity. If it is time to wait, trust the pause. If it is time to receive that which we have been waiting for, trust that it will happen clearly and with power, and receive the gift in joy. [The Language of Letting Go].
Food for Thought:
Making a "living" is not the same as making a "life". If you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing your very best you can, happiness will find you.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 582
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "Even if humans and sprites all gather together to produce something like this Recital, they could not produce anything like it, even if they helped each other. [17: 88]
Hadith of the Day:
God condemns the one who takes, pays, witnesses, or notarizes a usurious transaction. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not look at a man's prayers nor his fasts, rather, measure him by how well he deals with others, the compassion he shows his fellow man, his wisdom and his integrity. [Omar radi allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
When Things Don't Work: Frequently, when faced with a problem, we may attempt to solve it in a particular way. When that way doesn't work, we may continue trying to solve the problem in that same way. We may get frustrated, try harder, get more frustrated, and then exert more energy and influence into forcing the same solution that we have already tried and that didn't work. That approach makes us crazy. It tends to get us stuck and trapped. It is the stuff that unmanageability is made of.
We can get caught in this difficult pattern in relationships, in tasks, in any area of our life. We initiate something, it doesn't work, doesn't flow, we feel badly, then try the same approach holder, even though it's not working or flowing. Sometimes, it's appropriate not to give up and to try harder. Sometimes, it's more appropriate to let go, detach, and stop trying so hard. If it doesn't work, if it doesn't flow, may be life is trying to tell us something. Life is a gentle teacher. She doesn't always send us neon road signs to guide us. Sometimes, the sings are more subtle. Sometimes not working may be a sign!
Let go. If we have become frustrated by repeated efforts that aren't producing desired results, we may be trying to force ourselves down the wrong path. Sometimes, a different solution is appropriate. Sometimes a different path opens up. Often, the answer will emerge more clearly in the quietness of letting go than it will in the urgency, frustration, or desperation of pushing harder. Learn to recognize when something isn't working or isn't flowing. Set back and wait for clear guidance. [The Language of Letting Go]
Dua of the Week:
Allahummagh fir li zambi wa wassi'li fi daari wa baarik li fi rizqi. (O Allah forgive my shortcomings, and widen for me the expanse of my home, and favor for me my provision).
Food for Thought:
By seeking to be the center of attention and by trying to please others, you lose both peace and stability in your life.
Say, "Even if humans and sprites all gather together to produce something like this Recital, they could not produce anything like it, even if they helped each other. [17: 88]
Hadith of the Day:
God condemns the one who takes, pays, witnesses, or notarizes a usurious transaction. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not look at a man's prayers nor his fasts, rather, measure him by how well he deals with others, the compassion he shows his fellow man, his wisdom and his integrity. [Omar radi allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
When Things Don't Work: Frequently, when faced with a problem, we may attempt to solve it in a particular way. When that way doesn't work, we may continue trying to solve the problem in that same way. We may get frustrated, try harder, get more frustrated, and then exert more energy and influence into forcing the same solution that we have already tried and that didn't work. That approach makes us crazy. It tends to get us stuck and trapped. It is the stuff that unmanageability is made of.
We can get caught in this difficult pattern in relationships, in tasks, in any area of our life. We initiate something, it doesn't work, doesn't flow, we feel badly, then try the same approach holder, even though it's not working or flowing. Sometimes, it's appropriate not to give up and to try harder. Sometimes, it's more appropriate to let go, detach, and stop trying so hard. If it doesn't work, if it doesn't flow, may be life is trying to tell us something. Life is a gentle teacher. She doesn't always send us neon road signs to guide us. Sometimes, the sings are more subtle. Sometimes not working may be a sign!
Let go. If we have become frustrated by repeated efforts that aren't producing desired results, we may be trying to force ourselves down the wrong path. Sometimes, a different solution is appropriate. Sometimes a different path opens up. Often, the answer will emerge more clearly in the quietness of letting go than it will in the urgency, frustration, or desperation of pushing harder. Learn to recognize when something isn't working or isn't flowing. Set back and wait for clear guidance. [The Language of Letting Go]
Dua of the Week:
Allahummagh fir li zambi wa wassi'li fi daari wa baarik li fi rizqi. (O Allah forgive my shortcomings, and widen for me the expanse of my home, and favor for me my provision).
Food for Thought:
By seeking to be the center of attention and by trying to please others, you lose both peace and stability in your life.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 581
Ayahs of the Day:
If We wished, We would take away what We have revealed to you by inspiration; then you would not find yourself an agent against Us in this, except as a mercy from your Lord, whose generosity to you is immense. [17: 86,87]
Hadith of the Day:
A person has done enough wrong in his life if he simply repeats everything he hears. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One is brought near to the intimate knowledge of Allah, through silence. [Sulaiman Darami]
Guidance of the Day:
Achieving Harmony: When a pianist learns a new piece of music, he or she does not sit down and instantly play it perfectly. A pianist often needs to practice each hand's work separately to learn the feel, to learn the sound. One hand picks out a part until there is rhythm and ease in playing what is difficult. Then, the musician practices with the other hand, picking through the notes, one by one, until that hand learns its task. When each hand has learned its part--the sound, the feel, the rhythm, the tones--then both hands can play together. During the time of practice, the music may not sound like much. It may sound disconnected, not particularly beautiful. But when both hands are ready to play together, music is created--a whole piece comes together in harmony and beauty.
It may feel like we spend months, even years, practicing individual, seemingly disconnected behaviors in the separate parts of our life. One part at a time, we practice our new music note by note: We work on our relationship with our Higher Power--our spirituality. We work on feelings. On beliefs. On behaviors. Letting go of the old, acquiring the new. We work and work and work. We practice. We struggle through. We go from one extreme to the other, and sometimes back through the course again. We make a little progress, go backward, and then go forward again. It may seem disconnected. It may not sound like a harmonious, beautiful piece of music--just isolated notes.
Then one day, something happens. We become ready to play with both hands, to put the music together. What we have been working toward, note by note, becomes a song. The song is a whole life, a complete life, a life in harmony. The music will come together in our life if we keep practicing the parts. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.
If We wished, We would take away what We have revealed to you by inspiration; then you would not find yourself an agent against Us in this, except as a mercy from your Lord, whose generosity to you is immense. [17: 86,87]
Hadith of the Day:
A person has done enough wrong in his life if he simply repeats everything he hears. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One is brought near to the intimate knowledge of Allah, through silence. [Sulaiman Darami]
Guidance of the Day:
Achieving Harmony: When a pianist learns a new piece of music, he or she does not sit down and instantly play it perfectly. A pianist often needs to practice each hand's work separately to learn the feel, to learn the sound. One hand picks out a part until there is rhythm and ease in playing what is difficult. Then, the musician practices with the other hand, picking through the notes, one by one, until that hand learns its task. When each hand has learned its part--the sound, the feel, the rhythm, the tones--then both hands can play together. During the time of practice, the music may not sound like much. It may sound disconnected, not particularly beautiful. But when both hands are ready to play together, music is created--a whole piece comes together in harmony and beauty.
It may feel like we spend months, even years, practicing individual, seemingly disconnected behaviors in the separate parts of our life. One part at a time, we practice our new music note by note: We work on our relationship with our Higher Power--our spirituality. We work on feelings. On beliefs. On behaviors. Letting go of the old, acquiring the new. We work and work and work. We practice. We struggle through. We go from one extreme to the other, and sometimes back through the course again. We make a little progress, go backward, and then go forward again. It may seem disconnected. It may not sound like a harmonious, beautiful piece of music--just isolated notes.
Then one day, something happens. We become ready to play with both hands, to put the music together. What we have been working toward, note by note, becomes a song. The song is a whole life, a complete life, a life in harmony. The music will come together in our life if we keep practicing the parts. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 580
Ayah of the Day:
They ask you about the spirit. Say, "The spirit is from the command of my Lord; and you are given but little knowledge." [17: 85]
Hadith of the Day:
Consider well contentment, for it is a treasure without end. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Generosity is not identifying with yourself, and acting as well as possible. [Hasan al Basri]
Guidance of the Day:
Surrender; Master the lessons of your present circumstances. We do not move forward by resisting what is undesirable in our life today. We move forward, we grow, we change by acceptance. Avoidance is not the key; surrender opens the door. Listen to this truth: We are each in our present circumstances for a reason. There is a lesson, a valuable lesson, that must be learned before we can move forward.
Something important is being worked out in us, and in those around us. We may not be able to identify it today, but we can know that it is important. We can know it is good. Overcome not by force, overcome by surrender. The battle is fought, and won, inside ourselves. We must go through it until we learn, until we accept, until we become grateful, until we are set free. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
We can choose to live in the past, or we can choose to finish our old business from the past and open ourselves to the beauty of today.
They ask you about the spirit. Say, "The spirit is from the command of my Lord; and you are given but little knowledge." [17: 85]
Hadith of the Day:
Consider well contentment, for it is a treasure without end. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Generosity is not identifying with yourself, and acting as well as possible. [Hasan al Basri]
Guidance of the Day:
Surrender; Master the lessons of your present circumstances. We do not move forward by resisting what is undesirable in our life today. We move forward, we grow, we change by acceptance. Avoidance is not the key; surrender opens the door. Listen to this truth: We are each in our present circumstances for a reason. There is a lesson, a valuable lesson, that must be learned before we can move forward.
Something important is being worked out in us, and in those around us. We may not be able to identify it today, but we can know that it is important. We can know it is good. Overcome not by force, overcome by surrender. The battle is fought, and won, inside ourselves. We must go through it until we learn, until we accept, until we become grateful, until we are set free. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
We can choose to live in the past, or we can choose to finish our old business from the past and open ourselves to the beauty of today.
Monday, July 17, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 579
Ayahs of the Day:
And when We confer favors on man, he turns and withdraws on his own; and when calamity strikes him, he despairs. Say, "everyone acts according to his type; and your Lord knows better who is best guided in a way. [17: 83,84]
Hadith of the Day:
One beneficial scholar is better than a thousand worshipful devotees. [Daylami]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Submit to the rulings of the religion, for Islam is linguistically derived from submission and do not engage in rational analogy using your intellect alone. For the intellect has limits that it can reach just as the sight has limit that it can reach. [Shaykh Bayanuni]
Guidance of the Day:
Don't Panic: Panic, not the task is the enemy. Many of us have moments when we feel crowded and overwhelmed. We have times when we feel like we cannot possibly accomplish all that needs to be done. We may be facing a task at work, an improvement in ourselves, or change in our family life.
For a moment, it is helpful to look forward and envision the project. It is normal, when we look ahead at what needs to be done, to have moments of panic. Feel the fear, then let it go. Take our eyes off the future and the enormity of the task. If we have envisioned the goal, it will be ours. We do not have to do everything today, or at once. Focus on today. Focus on the belief that all is well. All we need to do to reach our goal is to focus on what presents itself naturally, and in orderly way, to us today. We shall be empowered to accomplish, peacefully, what we need to get where we want to be tomorrow.
Panic will stop this process. Trust and guided action will further it. Breathe deeply. Get peaceful. Trust. Act as guided, today. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for the Day:
Plan your future carefully: You are going to spend the rest of your life there i.e. Akhira.
And when We confer favors on man, he turns and withdraws on his own; and when calamity strikes him, he despairs. Say, "everyone acts according to his type; and your Lord knows better who is best guided in a way. [17: 83,84]
Hadith of the Day:
One beneficial scholar is better than a thousand worshipful devotees. [Daylami]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Submit to the rulings of the religion, for Islam is linguistically derived from submission and do not engage in rational analogy using your intellect alone. For the intellect has limits that it can reach just as the sight has limit that it can reach. [Shaykh Bayanuni]
Guidance of the Day:
Don't Panic: Panic, not the task is the enemy. Many of us have moments when we feel crowded and overwhelmed. We have times when we feel like we cannot possibly accomplish all that needs to be done. We may be facing a task at work, an improvement in ourselves, or change in our family life.
For a moment, it is helpful to look forward and envision the project. It is normal, when we look ahead at what needs to be done, to have moments of panic. Feel the fear, then let it go. Take our eyes off the future and the enormity of the task. If we have envisioned the goal, it will be ours. We do not have to do everything today, or at once. Focus on today. Focus on the belief that all is well. All we need to do to reach our goal is to focus on what presents itself naturally, and in orderly way, to us today. We shall be empowered to accomplish, peacefully, what we need to get where we want to be tomorrow.
Panic will stop this process. Trust and guided action will further it. Breathe deeply. Get peaceful. Trust. Act as guided, today. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for the Day:
Plan your future carefully: You are going to spend the rest of your life there i.e. Akhira.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 578
Ayah of the Day:
And We reveal from the Recital what is a cure and a mercy for the believers. But it only increases the wrongdoers in deviation. [17: 82]
Hadith of the Day:
Prayer is the central pillar of religion; prayer is the key to every good. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
There is not good in a person who has no modesty with respect to others. [Hudhaifa ibn alYamaan]
Guidance of the Day:
Learning New Behaviors: Life is a gentle teacher. She wants to help us learn. The lessons she wants to teach us are the lessons we chose to learn to before we were born. Others say they are the lessons that were chosen for us. It's frustrating to be in the midst of learning. It is like sitting in algebra class, listening to a teacher explain a subject beyond our comprehension. We do not take understanding for granted. It may feel like someone is torturing us with messages that we shall never understand. We strain and strain. We feel angry. Frustrated. Confused. Finally, in despair, we turn away, deciding that that formula will never be available to our mind.
Later, while taking a quiet walk, we break through. Quietly, the gift of understanding has reached that deepest place in us. We understand. We have learned. The next day in class, it's hard for us to imagine not knowing. It is hard to remember the frustration and confusion of those who have not yet caught on. It seems so easy...now.
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She will keep repeating the lesson until we learn. It is okay to become frustrated. Confused. Angry. Sometimes it is okay to despair. Then, it is okay to walk away and allow the breakthrough to come. It shall. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
When the believer is overcome by misfortune, only by repenting can he truly find a way out of his difficulties.
And We reveal from the Recital what is a cure and a mercy for the believers. But it only increases the wrongdoers in deviation. [17: 82]
Hadith of the Day:
Prayer is the central pillar of religion; prayer is the key to every good. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
There is not good in a person who has no modesty with respect to others. [Hudhaifa ibn alYamaan]
Guidance of the Day:
Learning New Behaviors: Life is a gentle teacher. She wants to help us learn. The lessons she wants to teach us are the lessons we chose to learn to before we were born. Others say they are the lessons that were chosen for us. It's frustrating to be in the midst of learning. It is like sitting in algebra class, listening to a teacher explain a subject beyond our comprehension. We do not take understanding for granted. It may feel like someone is torturing us with messages that we shall never understand. We strain and strain. We feel angry. Frustrated. Confused. Finally, in despair, we turn away, deciding that that formula will never be available to our mind.
Later, while taking a quiet walk, we break through. Quietly, the gift of understanding has reached that deepest place in us. We understand. We have learned. The next day in class, it's hard for us to imagine not knowing. It is hard to remember the frustration and confusion of those who have not yet caught on. It seems so easy...now.
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She will keep repeating the lesson until we learn. It is okay to become frustrated. Confused. Angry. Sometimes it is okay to despair. Then, it is okay to walk away and allow the breakthrough to come. It shall. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
When the believer is overcome by misfortune, only by repenting can he truly find a way out of his difficulties.
Friday, July 14, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 577
Ayahs of the Day:
And say, "My Lord, let me enter by the entry of truth; and give me authority from You to help." And say, "The truth has come, and falsehood has perished; for falsehood is bound to perish." [17: 80,81]
Hadith of the Day:
May God have mercy on a servant who spoke well and gained good, or kept silent and avoided harm. [ibn al-Mubarak]
Wise Quote of the Day:
All of the religion is behavior and character, what increases you in (good) behavior, increases you in your religion. [Ibn al Qayyim]
Guidance of the Day:
Our Higher Power: We live life one day at a time, an idea requiring an enormous amount of faith. We refuse to look back--unless healing from the past is part of today's work. We look ahead only to make plans. We focus on this day's activity, living it to the best of our ability. If we do that long enough, we'll have enough connected days of healthy living to make something valuable of our life.
We surrender to God's will. We stop trying to control, and we settle for a life that is manageable. We trust our Higher Power's will for us--that it's good, generous, and with direction. We are learning through trial and error, to separate our will from God's will. We are learning that God's will is not offensive. Sometimes, we need to do things that are frightening or painful. Sometimes, we need to step out, step back, or step forward. We need to call on the help of a Power greater than ourselves to do that. We will never be called upon to do anything that we won't be empowered to do. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Don't use your lot in life as a parking lot, cultivate it. Every day is a new beginning. Our best preparation for tomorrow is the proper use of today.
And say, "My Lord, let me enter by the entry of truth; and give me authority from You to help." And say, "The truth has come, and falsehood has perished; for falsehood is bound to perish." [17: 80,81]
Hadith of the Day:
May God have mercy on a servant who spoke well and gained good, or kept silent and avoided harm. [ibn al-Mubarak]
Wise Quote of the Day:
All of the religion is behavior and character, what increases you in (good) behavior, increases you in your religion. [Ibn al Qayyim]
Guidance of the Day:
Our Higher Power: We live life one day at a time, an idea requiring an enormous amount of faith. We refuse to look back--unless healing from the past is part of today's work. We look ahead only to make plans. We focus on this day's activity, living it to the best of our ability. If we do that long enough, we'll have enough connected days of healthy living to make something valuable of our life.
We surrender to God's will. We stop trying to control, and we settle for a life that is manageable. We trust our Higher Power's will for us--that it's good, generous, and with direction. We are learning through trial and error, to separate our will from God's will. We are learning that God's will is not offensive. Sometimes, we need to do things that are frightening or painful. Sometimes, we need to step out, step back, or step forward. We need to call on the help of a Power greater than ourselves to do that. We will never be called upon to do anything that we won't be empowered to do. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Don't use your lot in life as a parking lot, cultivate it. Every day is a new beginning. Our best preparation for tomorrow is the proper use of today.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 576
Ayah of the Day:
And keep a vigil part of the night, as an extra devotion for you; perhaps your Lord may raise you to an honored station. [17: 79]
Hadith of the Day:
He who directs others to a good deed is as the one who did it; and, assuredly, God loves the act of aiding the distressed. [Ibn Abi ad Dunya]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Honor lies in hastening to forgive. Dishonor lies in hastening to revenge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Balance: The goal is balance. We need balance between work and play. We need balance between giving and receiving. We need balance in thought and feelings. We need balance in caring for our physical self and our spiritual self. A balanced life has harmony between a professional life and personal life. There may be times when we need to climb mountains at work. There may be times when we put extra energy into our relationships. But the overall picture needs to balance.
Just as a balanced nutritional diet takes into account the realm of our nutritional needs to stay healthy, a balanced life takes into account all our needs: our need for friends, work, love, family, play, private time, recovery time, and spiritual time--time with God. If we get out of balance our inner voice will tell us. We need to listen. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
We do not lead others into light by stepping into the darkness with them.
And keep a vigil part of the night, as an extra devotion for you; perhaps your Lord may raise you to an honored station. [17: 79]
Hadith of the Day:
He who directs others to a good deed is as the one who did it; and, assuredly, God loves the act of aiding the distressed. [Ibn Abi ad Dunya]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Honor lies in hastening to forgive. Dishonor lies in hastening to revenge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Balance: The goal is balance. We need balance between work and play. We need balance between giving and receiving. We need balance in thought and feelings. We need balance in caring for our physical self and our spiritual self. A balanced life has harmony between a professional life and personal life. There may be times when we need to climb mountains at work. There may be times when we put extra energy into our relationships. But the overall picture needs to balance.
Just as a balanced nutritional diet takes into account the realm of our nutritional needs to stay healthy, a balanced life takes into account all our needs: our need for friends, work, love, family, play, private time, recovery time, and spiritual time--time with God. If we get out of balance our inner voice will tell us. We need to listen. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
We do not lead others into light by stepping into the darkness with them.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 575
Ayah of the Day:
Set prayer for the sun's decline, until the darkening of night, and the dawn recitation: for the recitation at dawn is witnessed. [17: 79]
Hadith of the Day:
Set aside what causes you doubt for what does not. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Avoiding that which is forbidden is based upon fear, while doing that which is commanded is based upon hope. The whole matter of seeking knowledge is also based on fear. [Sahl bin Abdullah]
Guidance of the Day:
Accepting Change: The winds of change blow through our life, sometimes gently, sometimes like a tropical storm. Yes, we have resting places--time to adjust to another level of living, time to get our balance, time to enjoy the rewards. We have time to catch our breath. But change is inevitable, and desirable. Sometimes, when the winds of change begin to rustle, we are not certain the change is for the better. We may call it stress or a temporary condition, certain we'll be restored to normal.
Sometimes, we resist. We tuck our head down and buck the wind, hoping that things will quickly calm down, get back to the way things were. Is it possible we are being prepared for a new "normal"? Change will sweep through our life, as needed, to take us where we are going. We can trust that our Higher Power has a plan in mind, even when we don't know where the changes are leading. We can trust that the change taking place is good. The winds will take us where we need to go. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
The way life unfolds is good, even when it hurts. And ultimately we benefit from even the most difficult situations.
Set prayer for the sun's decline, until the darkening of night, and the dawn recitation: for the recitation at dawn is witnessed. [17: 79]
Hadith of the Day:
Set aside what causes you doubt for what does not. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Avoiding that which is forbidden is based upon fear, while doing that which is commanded is based upon hope. The whole matter of seeking knowledge is also based on fear. [Sahl bin Abdullah]
Guidance of the Day:
Accepting Change: The winds of change blow through our life, sometimes gently, sometimes like a tropical storm. Yes, we have resting places--time to adjust to another level of living, time to get our balance, time to enjoy the rewards. We have time to catch our breath. But change is inevitable, and desirable. Sometimes, when the winds of change begin to rustle, we are not certain the change is for the better. We may call it stress or a temporary condition, certain we'll be restored to normal.
Sometimes, we resist. We tuck our head down and buck the wind, hoping that things will quickly calm down, get back to the way things were. Is it possible we are being prepared for a new "normal"? Change will sweep through our life, as needed, to take us where we are going. We can trust that our Higher Power has a plan in mind, even when we don't know where the changes are leading. We can trust that the change taking place is good. The winds will take us where we need to go. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
The way life unfolds is good, even when it hurts. And ultimately we benefit from even the most difficult situations.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 574
Ayah of the Day:
And those who were blind in the here and now will be blind in the hereafter, and more deviant in their way. [17: 72]
Hadith of the Day:
Two qualities are never coupled in a believer: miserliness and immorality. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Regret over misdeeds erases them, and pride over good deeds ruins them. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Negotiating Conflicts: Problems and conflicts are part of life and relationships--with friends, family, loved ones, and at work. Problem solving and conflict negotiation are skills we can acquire and improve with time. Not being willing to tackle and solve problems in relationships leads to unresolved feelings of anger and victimization, terminated relationships, unresolved problems, and power plays that intensify the problem and waste time and energy. Not being willing to face and solve problems means we may run into that problem again.
Some problems with people cannot be worked out in mutually satisfactory ways. Sometimes the problem is boundary issue we have, and there is not room to negotiate. In that case, we need to clearly understand what we want and need and what our bottom line is. Some problems with people, though, can be worked out, worked through, and satisfactorily negotiated. Often, there are workable options for solving problems that we will not even see until we become open to the concept of working through problems in relationships, rather than running from the problems.
To negotiate problems, we must be willing to identify the problem, let go of blame and shame, and focus on possible creative solutions. To successfully negotiate and sole problems in relationships, we must have a sense of our bottom line and our boundary issues, so we don't waste time trying to negotiate non-negotiable issues. We need to identify what both people really want and need and the different possibilities for working that out. We can learn to be flexible without being too flexible. Committed, intimate relationships mean two people are learning to work together through their problems and conflicts in ways that work in both people's best interest. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when "forget-me-nots" are withered.
And those who were blind in the here and now will be blind in the hereafter, and more deviant in their way. [17: 72]
Hadith of the Day:
Two qualities are never coupled in a believer: miserliness and immorality. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Regret over misdeeds erases them, and pride over good deeds ruins them. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Negotiating Conflicts: Problems and conflicts are part of life and relationships--with friends, family, loved ones, and at work. Problem solving and conflict negotiation are skills we can acquire and improve with time. Not being willing to tackle and solve problems in relationships leads to unresolved feelings of anger and victimization, terminated relationships, unresolved problems, and power plays that intensify the problem and waste time and energy. Not being willing to face and solve problems means we may run into that problem again.
Some problems with people cannot be worked out in mutually satisfactory ways. Sometimes the problem is boundary issue we have, and there is not room to negotiate. In that case, we need to clearly understand what we want and need and what our bottom line is. Some problems with people, though, can be worked out, worked through, and satisfactorily negotiated. Often, there are workable options for solving problems that we will not even see until we become open to the concept of working through problems in relationships, rather than running from the problems.
To negotiate problems, we must be willing to identify the problem, let go of blame and shame, and focus on possible creative solutions. To successfully negotiate and sole problems in relationships, we must have a sense of our bottom line and our boundary issues, so we don't waste time trying to negotiate non-negotiable issues. We need to identify what both people really want and need and the different possibilities for working that out. We can learn to be flexible without being too flexible. Committed, intimate relationships mean two people are learning to work together through their problems and conflicts in ways that work in both people's best interest. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when "forget-me-nots" are withered.
Monday, July 10, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 573
Ayah of the Day:
One day We will call all human beings with their leaders: those who are given their record in their right hand will read their record and will not be wronged at all. [17: 71]
Hadith of the Day:
Hearts naturally love those who are kind to them and loathe those who are cruel. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Taking pains to remove the pains of others is the true essence of generosity. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Acceptance: Surrender to the moment. Ride it out and through, for all it's worth. Stop resisting. So much of our anguish is created when we are in resistance. So much relief, release, and change are possible when we accept, simply accept. We waste our time, expend our energy, make things harder by resisting, repressing, and denying. Repressing our thoughts will not make them disappear. Repressing a thought already formed will not make us a better person. Resistance and repression will not change a thing. We make life harder by resisting and repressing our feelings. Feelings are for the present moment. The more quickly we can accept a feeling, the more quickly we will move on to the next.
Resisting circumstances in our life does not change things, no matter how undesirable the events or circumstances may be. Acceptance turns us into the person we are and want to be. Acceptance empowers the events and circumstances to turn around for the better. What we do if we are in resistance, in a tug-of-war with reality in our life? Accepting our resistance can help us get through that too. Acceptance does not mean we are giving our approval. It does not mean surrendering to the will and plans of another. It does not mean commitment. It is not forever. It is for the present moment.
Acceptance does not make things harder; it makes things easier. Acceptance does not mean we accept abuse or mistreatment; it does not mean we forgo ourselves, our boundaries, hopes, dreams, desires, or wants. It means we accept what is, so we know what to do to take care of ourselves and what boundaries we set. It means we accept what is and who we are at the moment, so we are free to change and grow. Acceptance and surrender move us forward. Acceptance and surrender--two concepts that hurt the most before we do them. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
It's so easy to look around and notice what's wrong. It takes practice to see what's right. Positive energy heals, conducts love, and transforms. Choose positive energy.
One day We will call all human beings with their leaders: those who are given their record in their right hand will read their record and will not be wronged at all. [17: 71]
Hadith of the Day:
Hearts naturally love those who are kind to them and loathe those who are cruel. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Taking pains to remove the pains of others is the true essence of generosity. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Acceptance: Surrender to the moment. Ride it out and through, for all it's worth. Stop resisting. So much of our anguish is created when we are in resistance. So much relief, release, and change are possible when we accept, simply accept. We waste our time, expend our energy, make things harder by resisting, repressing, and denying. Repressing our thoughts will not make them disappear. Repressing a thought already formed will not make us a better person. Resistance and repression will not change a thing. We make life harder by resisting and repressing our feelings. Feelings are for the present moment. The more quickly we can accept a feeling, the more quickly we will move on to the next.
Resisting circumstances in our life does not change things, no matter how undesirable the events or circumstances may be. Acceptance turns us into the person we are and want to be. Acceptance empowers the events and circumstances to turn around for the better. What we do if we are in resistance, in a tug-of-war with reality in our life? Accepting our resistance can help us get through that too. Acceptance does not mean we are giving our approval. It does not mean surrendering to the will and plans of another. It does not mean commitment. It is not forever. It is for the present moment.
Acceptance does not make things harder; it makes things easier. Acceptance does not mean we accept abuse or mistreatment; it does not mean we forgo ourselves, our boundaries, hopes, dreams, desires, or wants. It means we accept what is, so we know what to do to take care of ourselves and what boundaries we set. It means we accept what is and who we are at the moment, so we are free to change and grow. Acceptance and surrender move us forward. Acceptance and surrender--two concepts that hurt the most before we do them. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
It's so easy to look around and notice what's wrong. It takes practice to see what's right. Positive energy heals, conducts love, and transforms. Choose positive energy.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 572
Ayah of the Day:
We have indeed honored the descendants of Adam, carrying them on land and sea and providing for them from the good things; We have favored them in blessings over most of the beings We created. [17: 70]
Hadith of the Day:
Three practices will keep sincere your Muslim brother's/ sister's love for you: greeting him when you see him; making room for him in gatherings; and calling him by the most endearing of his/her names. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
You are more precious than both heaven and earth
You know not your own worth.
Sell not yourself at little price,
Being so precious in God's eyes. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Surrender: Surrendering to a Power greater than ourselves is how we become empowered. We become empowered in a new, better, more effective way than we believed possible. Doors open. Windows open. Possibilities occur. Our energy becomes channeled, at last, in areas and ways that work for us. We become in tune with the plan for our life and our place in the universe.
And there is a plan for us. We shall see that. We shall know that. The universe will open up and make a special place for us, with all that we need provided. It will be good. Understood that it is good, now. Learning to own our power will come, if we are open to it. We do not need to stop at powerlessness and helplessness. That is a temporary place where we re-evaluate where we have been trying to have power when we have none. Once we surrender, it is time to become empowered. Let the power come, naturally. It is there. It is ours. When we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Sometimes, it helps to know what we want and need. But if we don't, we can trust that God does. When we ask, trust, and believe that our needs will be met, our needs will be met. Sometimes God cares about the silliest little things, if we do.
We have indeed honored the descendants of Adam, carrying them on land and sea and providing for them from the good things; We have favored them in blessings over most of the beings We created. [17: 70]
Hadith of the Day:
Three practices will keep sincere your Muslim brother's/ sister's love for you: greeting him when you see him; making room for him in gatherings; and calling him by the most endearing of his/her names. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
You are more precious than both heaven and earth
You know not your own worth.
Sell not yourself at little price,
Being so precious in God's eyes. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Surrender: Surrendering to a Power greater than ourselves is how we become empowered. We become empowered in a new, better, more effective way than we believed possible. Doors open. Windows open. Possibilities occur. Our energy becomes channeled, at last, in areas and ways that work for us. We become in tune with the plan for our life and our place in the universe.
And there is a plan for us. We shall see that. We shall know that. The universe will open up and make a special place for us, with all that we need provided. It will be good. Understood that it is good, now. Learning to own our power will come, if we are open to it. We do not need to stop at powerlessness and helplessness. That is a temporary place where we re-evaluate where we have been trying to have power when we have none. Once we surrender, it is time to become empowered. Let the power come, naturally. It is there. It is ours. When we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Sometimes, it helps to know what we want and need. But if we don't, we can trust that God does. When we ask, trust, and believe that our needs will be met, our needs will be met. Sometimes God cares about the silliest little things, if we do.
Friday, July 07, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 571
Ayahs of the Day:
Are you sure God will not bury you somewhere on land, or send a violent storm against you, so you would find yourselves no protector? Or are you sure God will not send you back to sea another time around, and send a gale force wind against you and drown you for your ingratitude, so you would find no one to help you against Us in that? [17: 68,69]
Hadith of the Day:
Practice humility until no one oppresses or belittles another. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Many think that tests from God are always signs of His wrath. As Muslims, we believe that the trials afflicting us can be signs of His love. [Imam Zaid shakir]
Guidance of the Day:
Solving Problems: Many of us fear problems. We may spend more time reacting to a problem than we do to solving it. We miss the point; we miss the lesson; we miss the gift. Problems are a part of life. So are solutions. A problem doesn't mean life is negative or horrible. Having a problem doesn't mean a person is deficient. All people have problems to work through.
We need to learn to focus on solving our problems. First, we make certain the problem is our problem. If it isn't, our problem is establishing boundaries. Then we seek the best solution. This may mean setting a goal, asking for help, gathering more information, taking an action, or letting go. We need to learn to face and solve problems, knowing they will appear regularly. We can trust our ability to solve problems, and know we are not doing it alone. Having problems does not mean our Higher Power is picking on us. Some problems are part of life; others are ours to solve, and we'll grow in necessary ways in the process.
Face and solve today's problems. Don't worry needlessly about tomorrow's problems, because when they appear, we'll have the resources necessary to solve them. Facing and solving problems--working through problems with help from the Higher Power--means we're living and growing and reaping benefits. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.
Are you sure God will not bury you somewhere on land, or send a violent storm against you, so you would find yourselves no protector? Or are you sure God will not send you back to sea another time around, and send a gale force wind against you and drown you for your ingratitude, so you would find no one to help you against Us in that? [17: 68,69]
Hadith of the Day:
Practice humility until no one oppresses or belittles another. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Many think that tests from God are always signs of His wrath. As Muslims, we believe that the trials afflicting us can be signs of His love. [Imam Zaid shakir]
Guidance of the Day:
Solving Problems: Many of us fear problems. We may spend more time reacting to a problem than we do to solving it. We miss the point; we miss the lesson; we miss the gift. Problems are a part of life. So are solutions. A problem doesn't mean life is negative or horrible. Having a problem doesn't mean a person is deficient. All people have problems to work through.
We need to learn to focus on solving our problems. First, we make certain the problem is our problem. If it isn't, our problem is establishing boundaries. Then we seek the best solution. This may mean setting a goal, asking for help, gathering more information, taking an action, or letting go. We need to learn to face and solve problems, knowing they will appear regularly. We can trust our ability to solve problems, and know we are not doing it alone. Having problems does not mean our Higher Power is picking on us. Some problems are part of life; others are ours to solve, and we'll grow in necessary ways in the process.
Face and solve today's problems. Don't worry needlessly about tomorrow's problems, because when they appear, we'll have the resources necessary to solve them. Facing and solving problems--working through problems with help from the Higher Power--means we're living and growing and reaping benefits. [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
LESSON OF THE DAY 570
Ayah of the Day:
And when adversity befalls you at sea, whoever you pray to other than God vanishes, forgotten. Yet when God delivers you onto dry land, you turn away; man is most ungrateful. [17: 67]
Hadith of the Day:
God loves a servant who when performing a task does so skillfully. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The one to whom small calamities seem large, will certainly be afflicted by truly large calamities. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Setting Our Own Course: We are powerless over other people's expectations of us. We cannot control what others want, what they expect, or what they want us to do and be. We can control how we respond to other people's expectations. During the course of any day, people may make demands on our time, talents, money, and emotions. We do not have to say yes to every request. We do not have to feel guilty if we say no. And we do not have to allow the barrage of demands to control the course of our life.
We do not have to spend our life reacting to others and to the course they would prefer we took with our life.We can set boundaries, firm limits on how far we shall go with others. We can trust and listen to others. We can trust and listen to ourselves. We can set goals and direction for our life. We can place value on ourselves. We can own our power with people.
Buy some time. Think about what you want. Consider how responding to another's needs will affect the course of your life. We live our own life by not letting other people, their expectations, and their demands control the course of our life. We can let them have their demands and expectations; we can allow them to have their feelings. We can own our power to choose the path that is right for us (as a believer). [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Often, one of our biggest questions is "What's going to happen?' Things will work out, if we let them. If we must focus on the future other than to plan, all we need to do is affirm that it will be good.
And when adversity befalls you at sea, whoever you pray to other than God vanishes, forgotten. Yet when God delivers you onto dry land, you turn away; man is most ungrateful. [17: 67]
Hadith of the Day:
God loves a servant who when performing a task does so skillfully. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The one to whom small calamities seem large, will certainly be afflicted by truly large calamities. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Setting Our Own Course: We are powerless over other people's expectations of us. We cannot control what others want, what they expect, or what they want us to do and be. We can control how we respond to other people's expectations. During the course of any day, people may make demands on our time, talents, money, and emotions. We do not have to say yes to every request. We do not have to feel guilty if we say no. And we do not have to allow the barrage of demands to control the course of our life.
We do not have to spend our life reacting to others and to the course they would prefer we took with our life.We can set boundaries, firm limits on how far we shall go with others. We can trust and listen to others. We can trust and listen to ourselves. We can set goals and direction for our life. We can place value on ourselves. We can own our power with people.
Buy some time. Think about what you want. Consider how responding to another's needs will affect the course of your life. We live our own life by not letting other people, their expectations, and their demands control the course of our life. We can let them have their demands and expectations; we can allow them to have their feelings. We can own our power to choose the path that is right for us (as a believer). [The Language of Letting Go]
Food for Thought:
Often, one of our biggest questions is "What's going to happen?' Things will work out, if we let them. If we must focus on the future other than to plan, all we need to do is affirm that it will be good.
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