I was talking to one of my parent’s long life friend. She has always amused me with her positive and never-say-die attitude in life – an amazing woman whom, I think, has a determination like a steel.
She has gone through many ups and downs but, if you talk to her, you will not find any traces of sadness, depression, regret or anger in her.
From her life’s story, you would know that she once had it all. She was tested with wealth and now with hardship.
From owning a few huge bungalows to living in a small rented apartment, from dining in seven star hotels to getting her food from the hawkers by the road side, from having an excellent health only to be diagnosed with cancer, from having a happy marriage to being a single woman, from driving a Mercedes Benz to using the public transportation, from having hundreds of friends to be left with only a few loyal ones. Subhanallah. As I said before, she once had it all.
Be Positive
What is phenomenal about her is that her outlook in life remains the same despite all the adversities she went through Masha’Allah. She is still the aunt whom I know – a practicing Muslimah, kind, charitable, generous, honest, happy, in high spirits and most importantly, a contented person.
She reminded me of Khalil Gibran words:
Much of your pain is self-chosen
He was right. She chose not to feel the pain.
When asked, she told me that this verse is enough to allow her to go on with her life in enthusiasm.
It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your shapes beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! (Quran 40 : 64)
It is all in Allah’s hand. And He provides sustenance for His slaves. It was so clear for her. Her conviction and faith in her Deen is so strong that she knows there is no reason for her to be depressed about her situation right now. None, what-so-ever.
In fact, she is still her entrepreneurial self. She picked up the pieces and proceeded with her life passionately. She learned the needed life lessons and moved on.
Trust Allah
“Trust Allah, my daughter. And only ask from Him,” she said. “And be thankful to Him..”
I reflected on His verse which was sent down to us, as a soother to a distressed soul:
And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. (65:3)
For all things, there is an appointed time. This verse is so beautiful. It gives me such calmness knowing that whatever that I faced in this world, there is a time period to it.
For everything, there is a time to start and a time to end. My job is to patiently and faithfully ‘cruise’ through the ‘time-in-between’.
And if I just trust Allah, follow His Book and His messenger, it will be sufficient for me as He shall give me a way out of all my problems. I am absolutely sure of that because He promised in His own words!
And you know what? I learned too that I should not be worried about life’s trials.
If I am faced with some issues, I rest assured that it is a sign of love from Allah that He wanted to give me something good.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said:
Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity. (Al-Bukhari)
Happiness in Hardship
Ahh… this is so cool, don’t you think? It means that all these ‘bruises’, ‘bumps’ and ‘scratches’ I have in me are all signs of His Love!
My heart beams with happiness. Allah loves me? Yes, He loves me. M-E- Me! Alhamdulillah. What a wonderful feeling, you agree?
Let me share with you a poem I wrote sometime ago upon reflecting on the advice given by my mother entitled ‘That too, will be over’
Mother,
I missed you so much
I remembered you today
As I sat alone on your favorite chair
Thinking about my life
And where it has taken me
Your daughter has grown up
Your daughter has faced the world
You would cry if only you knew
The trials and challenges that passed her by
The turbulence and turmoil that has enveloped her
But she faced it all Alhamdulillah
With the strength from Allah
With the prayer you have made for her
Once upon a time, years ago, everyday
That is why now
Even after you have long gone
I could always feel your presence
Even in my darkest hour
I could always hear your whispers
Asking me to do the right thing
Even if that would be the most bitter of all
Even if I could not swallow it all
This one will be over, sweetheart
It is just a phase
It will leave in a swift
So stay tight and stay strong
Focus and hang on
But when it does disappear, do remember
There is the next one coming
But that too, will be over
That too, will be over.
Yes, my mother was right. Life is about facing our tests. She told me not to expect a life that is easy and simple. Once we passed one test, there would, must and should be another one coming.
This reality shown by my mother has allowed me to see life in different perspectives altogether. I no longer think that it’s a privilege to lead a life that is trouble free, easy, straightforward and undemanding. Nope.
In fact, if I suddenly realized that my life is so cushy and comfy, I asked myself – Has Allah forgotten me?
And that’s when I would beg Allah to send the signs of His love to me. And the cycle would begin once more. And I would felt loved all over again.
That to me my friends, is living an Extraordinary Life, you agree?
Is your life extraordinary too?
Think about it…
Source: http://www.siszabrina.com/