The poppy - tough, resolute yet delicate flowers. They represent remembrance and hope in the wake of tragic wars which cost the lives of millions and still consume the world today. With most of the world embroiled in some sort of conflict or another today, the meaning of Remembrance Day is so ever much more significant this year. With lives being lost through war, conflict and bloodshed daily, it’s poignant that despite remembering our fallen ones every year, fighting never seems to cease. More pertinent it is therefore, for us to continue to commemorate this day and never allow the memories of those fallen ones to fade away. If there was one sign of a prosperous nation, it is that they never forget the sacrifices of their elders and the heroes before them. So as we commemorate this day once again, there are five lessons we individually and communally should never forget. 1. Two wrongs never make a right Revenge isn’t sweet, it’s bitter. Forgiveness is sweet and while we may never be able to resolve all our disputes and differences, always retaliating and punishing those who may have wronged us will never lead to lasting peace or happiness. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing, it helps bring closure to distressed minds and evokes feeling of warmth and humanity. Is it any wonder why Jesus (peace be on him) emphasised it so much? This is why while dictators in the Middle East may have committed wrongs and atrocities, attacking sovereign nations, demanding leaders to leave their posts and bombing innocents is no less a wrong - and it certainly doesn’t make things right. It didn’t in Iraq or Libya and it certainly won’t in Syria. War begets war and needless, misdirected war is wrong. Retaliation in a measured justified approach is necessary at times but man always has a tendency to go overboard with his actions which is why we must always keep lesson no.2 in mind. 2. Despite our differences, we are all still in the same boat All too often we forego this vital truth which can end all our resentments and disputes. We all have to live on this earth, eat, sleep and work. Our humanity transcends all other thoughts of race, religion, culture, nationality or outlook. We’re all different but the same at our core. We have the very same basic needs, similar desires and we all seek to make better lives for ourselves and our future. We’re all going to the same place so we might as well help one another get there. It makes no sense to work against each other. By work alongside one another and being united we will be standing while divided we’re bound to fall. All successful nations, companies and groups realise that despite differing views, varying outlooks and divergent opinions, they’re still all working together for the same one goal. It’s time we bring this principle to the wider world and live our lives by it since the only way to change the world is to change ourselves. 3. Man forgets very quickly so reminding is essential In this age more than ever it seems, we are inundated with distractions everywhere we go. Just writing this I had to stave of distractions from people, my phone, the TV, other duties and what my mind thought was more important. We all know what we have to do, what’s important and what steps we must take to succeed but somewhere along the way our fears, thoughts, errors and distractions get in the way. The secret to achievement therefore, is constant reminders, dogged persistence and clear vision.
On the international stage, it seems we’ve forgotten everything there was to remember. Not a century has passed since the greatest calamity (WW2) mankind has seen since its inception and we stand at the foot of another one. After our compulsory schooling, it’s rare that we’re ever reminded of the mistakes made in history and the blood shed in the name of things we hold dear. Poverty, disease or nature are not the primary causes of our suffering and distress. War and the shedding of innocent blood has left more nations dismantled, children orphaned and lives ruined than almost any amount of disease, poverty or natural disaster could. 4. We must never lose hope Amongst all the supposed doom and gloom however, we must also never forget to remember the countless times mankind has pulled through the most dire and difficult situations. No matter how bad it all gets, there is and always will be a way out. Always. The greatest successes come amidst the fiercest trials and obstacles. No nation or person has ever achieved something without persevering and battling against the evil forces which seem to pin us down again and again. The greater the difficulty, the greater the victory. The end is certainly destined for those who continually strive for good. Today, amidst the wars, suffering and distress, we have great charities working to alleviate the pains in humanity, we have individuals starting great initiatives and we have leaders in the world who inspire great hope. The forces of good and evil always have to battle yet it’s inevitable for good to eventually triumph, however hard the battle may be or however long it takes. The final victory is and always has been for the peacemakers and the doers of good who never gave up hope. 5. What we do today, will affect what happens to everyone tomorrow Our actions have far reaching effects which we don’t necessarily always realise. The lives which were sacrificed years ago still benefit us today. We’re here because of the hard work and suffering which those before us underwent. Therefore, if we wish to continue to progress individually and communally, our hard work must continue. A wall is only built by placing bricks day by day and so every single day is vital to work toward a better, peace-filled, war-free world for generations to come. If we make the right decisions today, tomorrow can be brighter than ever before. Remembrance Day is a reminder and proof that the sacrifices which were given and are being given today, are the reason we still stand and many can continue to sleep soundly, safely at night. We must never forget that.
0 Comments
We're all looking for it - success, but what is it and how can we get there? When the veils, garbs and blindness of success, fame and money are lifted, a person is left wondering, 'is that it'? Introspection is a worthy, noble thing. Without it all the famous footballers, sportspeople, businessmen and politicians would care not for a moment what effect their actions have on the thousands, even millions who watch them, adore them, listen to them and even worship them, let alone what effect their actions have on themselves. Is that what is to be pined for, to be striven for - to become like them, simply for fame or money? Or is there something else, more noble, worthwhile and lasting which we may term as 'success'? Whether those we call successful and famous care for others or even themselves is a matter of introspection. It's easy to lose track of what matters when you're immersed in fame, luxury and success. However these things never last and often give rise to arrogance, egotism and disillusionment in the long run which is why we must always self-reflect and redefine what success actually is. It can't be fame since we find many actors and celebrities die of depression, overdosing on drugs. Nor can it be power when leaders and politicians are ousted and defamed on a regular basis while those who are on the lower rungs of the ladder work themselves to exhaustion and even death. Can success be equated with wealth then? Well how can money or possessions be the cause of happiness when there is still a burning desire for power, influence and recognition? No, money can't buy success or happiness, nor can we equate success with anything material. There is something more to this mundane, worldly and transitory existence. This is something testified to by many millions of adherents to religions and spirituality awakened souls. We are forevermore on the search for what we are meant to become, what path to take and how we can get there, if indeed we can. In a time when many theories, philosophies and ideas are thrown about, we lose sight of what makes us happy and feel as though we have succeeded. A man at peace can be content living in a hut while one can be living in palaces yet be malcontent. This is a phenomenon too true and one which many are realising today. Success certainly isn't what your parents want you to do or what society pushes you towards or what your culture thinks is right. Everyday, people find how following the expectations of others leaves them disillusioned, discontent and ironically unsuccessful. The very pursuit of success (the false sense of success) which we are pushed towards by the world is what inevitably breeds our failure. In fact, at times it is that very failure we need to realise where our true success lies. This held true for Steve Jobs, J.K.Rowling and Bill Gates who not only have followed their destiny and achieved success after battling expectations from those around them, but have also managed to succeed in a way which benefits the world, gives them fulfilment and is free from the ills which comes with most fame and success. The very pursuit of what is deemed as 'success' is killing the initiative, creativity and prosperity of our people. It drives students to suicide in Asia, disillusionment, confusion and dissatisfaction in Europe and anger elsewhere. The pursuit of success itself is a false notion, what should be pursued is development of self, purification and trust in yourself - for trusting your heart and your inner voice amounts to trusting in the inner faculty God has implanted in each one of us which tells us which direction to go. Call it our moral compass, the soul or our sub-conscious, we all have it. However, how do we know if it really is leading us right? This is why the quote 'successful are those who purify themselves' resonated with me so much. The person who purifies his mind, heart, body and therefore soul of all vain desires, egotistical passions and false pride will augment his sense of self and sense of right and wrong. This will then direct his heart aright. We should remove all obstacles to leading a pure, simple and clean life for in this is lasting joy, contentment and purity. This is nothing less than what the great spiritual and moral, religious teachers have taught mankind. Whether it was Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Abraham, Confucius or any other, they all shared a common purpose and teaching striving to illuminate mankind and draw them out of the dregs of infernal existence otherwise known as the passions of greed, rancour, hatred, malice, jealousy and contempt. Similarly, success is individual to all of us and as long as we follow and augment our inner voice and moral compass, we can be sure that it'll lead us to where we're meant to go. But for that, we must purify ourselves of negativity and degradation. In this age of materialism and vice, another such religious teacher seeks to impart and reassert the same principles and values once taught by the former ones. In a hamlet of the Punjab, India named Qadian, a man was born who claimed to be the Messiah awaited by all major religions of the world and prophesied in world religious scriptures. His name was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He said he came in the name of all previous Prophets and Divine religious teachers to unite mankind in the Latter Days through truth, love, peace and prayer. I'm one of his many millions of followers. In his early days, his father also wished for him to get gainful employment somewhere at which his reply was that his father worried unnecessarily and he was already employed to Whom he wished to and wasn't interested in employment by men. He put his trust in God and wasn't interested in wealth, fame or glory. He was content reading books, living in solitude, studying religion and holding discussions with friends and acquaintances. Later, he established a community of followers by Divine command to unite people of all religions under one banner. Now, after 126 years, as per his prophecy that his message would spread across the world, his community spans 207 countries, with tens of millions of followers, united under one leader, broadcasting a 24 hour international TV channel, publishing thousands of books, leaflets and literature for the peaceful propagation and revival of the true, original teachings of Islam, which has been corrupted by self-styled so called scholars of today. He taught me success isn't in worldly glory or fame but in relinquishing base desires and striving to inculcate pure and noble qualities to benefit mankind at large. As Gandhi put it, 'be the change you want to see in the world.' Muhammad said God looks not at your appearance or wealth but at your hearts and actions. Ahmad explained 'you can't be accepted in the presence of your Lord unless you are pure inside and out' and 'if all worldly honour is lost to you (as a result of your noble struggles) then God would grant you everlasting honour in the Hereafter,' It is his teaching that neither wealth, power nor any kind of worldly acclaim can lead to salvation or lasting peace. True success is in purifying one's self of all negative, harmful, immoral thoughts, beliefs and practices, for in this lies lasting prosperity. 'Verily, he truly prospers who purifies himself' - Holy Qur'an 87:15 The month of Ramadan is upon us once more. A month described as better than a thousand months, when Satan is locked in shackles and the doors of Heaven are wide open - for those who wish to enter. The Holy Qur’an lays down the main purpose of the month of fasting - to develop righteousness. It’s not easy to become a righteous person and so Ramadan is a period when good deeds are made easy and heavenly blessings are made accessible. Moreover, certain qualities which contribute to a person’s righteousness are developed. 1. Discipline Islam is the name of a heightened sense of discipline and obedience. Islam means complete submission to the Will of God which in turn leads to peace. Complete submission however cannot be attained without discipline and obedience. In this month, Muslims are commanded to forgo food, wake up early, refrain from immoral talk or behaviour and strive for betterment and increase in good deeds. This requires discipline which is brought about by forcing one’s self to rise early in the morning (or in the latter part of the night), sacrificing the comfort of the bed and offer prayer. Discipline isn’t something that can be developed over a day or even a week which is why Muslims are instructed to fast for an entire month. 2. Cleanliness & Clarity Muslims are taught to perform ablution before each prayer and be in a state of cleanliness as much as possible for outward cleanliness leads to inner cleanliness. This is why the Holy Prophet is reported to have said cleanliness is half of faith. Indeed, fasting is proven to cleanse the body of toxins and by foregoing food for a time, the body is assisted in repairing cells and utilising energy in other areas. The body also burns fat to provide energy which leads to weight loss. The NHS says ‘after a few days of the fast, higher levels of endorphins appear in the blood, making you more alert and giving an overall feeling of general mental wellbeing.’ Certainly, since food heavily affects the brain and our emotions, fasting helps in clearing out impurities and this detoxification results in an overall sense of wellbeing. That is if it’s done right though - by keeping to a balanced diet in the days of Ramadan. 3. Self-control Man is tempted and swayed by many different distractions, people, responsibilities, thoughts and emotions among other things in his life which can make it difficult to control his actions. Many people try ever so hard to give up certain foods, habits or degenerative practices yet they fail time and again. Ramadan and fasting helps foster a sense of self-control and alertness which makes it easy for people to give up their bad habits during this month. By giving up something lawful and essential to human survival, man strengthens his resolve and is enabled to have greater self control over his actions. 4. Spirituality It is definitely the experience of saints and holy men of the past that fasting promotes and enhances a person’s spirituality. Those endowed with the ability are able to experience visions and other spiritual phenomena which others cannot. This is why Prophets and other holy men go into seclusion for a time and live on the bare essentials to develop their spiritual powers. Ramadan for Muslims is the same kind of spiritual training designed to heighten the spiritual senses. 5. Humility Muslims are commanded to give themselves up to God and humbly submit to His Will neither being displeased with what He gives nor rebelling against His commands. The reason being that we are but mere beggars and servants in the presence of the Creator and King of the universe. Fasting in Ramadan reminds us that we are entirely dependant on Him and look only to Him for sustenance and provisions since He is the Best of Providers. This increases Muslims in humility and lowliness as well as trust in Him thus helping them attain nearness to God. 6. Self annihilation Sufis, saints and those who are conversant with spiritual and religious matters have always spoken about something called ‘self annihilation’ or ‘fana’. This means to completely discard your desires, passions, hopes and ambitions and remove all thoughts of the self in the way of God. Once man has purified himself thus, he arrives at the stage of freedom from grief or fear and continues his progress on the path to God. Fasting and sacrifice are means to attain the stage of self annihilation so that rather than being driven by our own selfish, conceited desires and motives, we fully conform to the Will of God and act as He wishes us to, eat when He wants us to and sleep and awake when He commands us to. When a man does this and his motives are not tainted by greed or worldliness, he attains a level of nearness to God and continues his advance. This is the path saints and Sufis have spoken of. 7. Empathy There’s little doubt that one cannot fully understand a phenomenon unless and until he has experienced it for himself. So in order for Muslims to understand and feel the privation, difficulties and pain of others among them in society, fasting has been ordained to develop empathy for our fellow beings. This in turn leads to an increase in charitable efforts and raising the downtrodden rather than looking down on them as some well-off people in our time do. Therefore, fasting is an exceptionally important part of the Islamic faith and has many more benefits which can only be perceived by one who diligently fulfils the dues of Ramadan. May Allah enable us to do so. We all are guilty of procrastination from time to time, putting off those important tasks and saying 'oh, I'll do it tomorrow'. For many of us though, tomorrow never comes. So how do we defeat procrastination? 1. Planning We can't work all the time, but then again we can't play and have fun all the time either. So we have to find time to do both, as they say 'work hard, play hard'. Effective organisation and planning then, can really help you become more productive. Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish that week and plan out your day to day calendar. Ensure that you often look at your task list to keep you on track. The satisfaction of crossing or ticking off a task once complete is well worth working hard for. Soon you'll find, bit by bit, that your list becomes smaller as you become more productive. Simply writing down what you have to do and having it there reminding you also keeps you focused on your most important tasks. Don't forget to add some time for relaxation and leisure as well though! 2. Distractions The bane of procrastination undoubtedly is distraction. Distractions come in many forms; people, TV, social media, games, other commitments etc. I've found two solutions to deal with the issue of distraction: - Remove every distraction and focus on nothing else but the task at hand. Don't commit to anything else or go near anything that might divert your attention until you've completed your work. - Promise yourself that after you've completed your work, you can go back and allow yourself, as a reward, to engage in other activities which were beforehand, distractions. Distractions, far from being a hindrance can often prove to be effective motive forces to get our task done. Promising yourself that you'll come back to whatever distracts you only once you've finished your most important tasks, can really motivate you to get on with whatever you really need accomplish. 3. Bite-size chunks At times, it seems as though there is simply too much to do. So we often just put off even starting at all. Therefore, cutting down big projects, difficult tasks or long chores into easy, bite-size pieces can really help you to work more efficiently. Set goals and smaller deadlines to complete smaller, individual pieces of the bigger picture and bit by bit, little by little you''ll wonder at what you've suddenly seem to have accomplished. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are individual buildings or walls. Brick by brick, piece by piece, mighty structures and complex cities are built and so should our work be accomplished with patience, steadiness and gradual steps. Another advantage of this piecemeal approach is that each bit of work will be perfectly managed and completed to a high standard - if we don't rush things and plan it all out beforehand that is. Focusing on smaller pieces means we can invest our full attention and effort into minor details rather than being diverted and disheartened by the sheer magnitude of the task at hand. Thus, when a mighty task is at hand, bite-size chunks prevail! 4. Put it in front of you Keep your work always in front of you to be a constant reminder of your unfinished business. If you have a book to read, keep it open on your desk and keep going back to it. If you have something to write, keep the page open all day. Don't hide it or 'brush it under the sofa'. If you have to hoover the house or fix your garden, bring out the tools to do so and make them visible to you and ready to be put to work. Bring out the hoover and place it in your living room, place the fork and spade on your table reminding you and preparing you to go out and start the work. Of course, this strategy can be applied to other situations and tasks. Likewise, sticky notes and whiteboards work wonders in keeping us on track with our workload. Use your smartphone and download some note or reminder apps which will keep reminding you of your unfinished tasks. Always confront your work, don't run away from it otherwise some ways down the line, you'll come to regret it and it'll invariably build up. Once you get started, it becomes much easier to finish, so once you've begun, keep it visible somewhere in your workplace or home so that you can keep coming back to it. 5. Incentives & visualization Of course, as with anything, completing any task requires a great deal of motivation. We should always remember why we are doing something, this keeps us focused on our goal. To have a reason, a purpose is a powerful motivator, so always remind yourself of why you are doing what you are. Write it down and read it often. Remember what you want to achieve and where you want to be, your final destination after the work is complete. Envisage a clean, tidy room, think about the satisfaction of ticking a task of your to-do list, imagine standing to receive your exam results at the end of a long period of effort. Visualization is a beautiful way to make your dreams come true and look forward to success after all your hard labour. Likewise, have certain short-term incentives to keep you going day to day. Visualization will get you motivated for the long term but we always need extra short-term motivation to get us through the nitty gritty tasks and day to day struggles. For example you might dream of running a successful, profitable business. That is your long term goal and incentive. However, to keep yourself going day to day, you'll need to keep reminding yourself what you're working towards and also have daily incentives to keep you going. When some people find it hard to get up in the morning, they think about returning to the comfort of their bed after a long day, or they think about having a tasty breakfast. When some people are having a tough day at school, college or work, they think about returning to the comfort of their home in the evening and relaxing with a nice cup of tea and biscuits (or hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, whatever takes their fancy!) 6. Urgency When you have no choice but to do it, you always find a way. 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' Students find that if they have a deadline due the next day, they will crack on with their work even if it means staying up all night to complete it. Suddenly all thoughts of procrastination, distractions and laziness fade away. If you have to complete the application to your dream job and it is due in 2 hours, the thought of putting it off till later will never cross your mind. That's not to say, leave things till the final minute. It means that you should always have a sense of urgency and expediency when facing important tasks. You have to remember we have very little time in this life and every second counts. Darwin is reported to have said 'A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.' Once when visiting Morocco, we were taken to the desert to camp out. There was a camel tour organised for us. A woman in our group was absolutely terrified of riding a camel (anyone who's been on a camel knows why!). She adamantly said she isn't going to get on the camel. The minibuses dropped us off at the edge of the desert and said that the only way to get to the camp-site, and therefore a place to rest, eat and sleep tonight was to get on the camel and ride to the middle of the desert. The woman had no option, so she prepared herself, and despite being scared and giving off a shriek as the camel stood up, she worked up some courage (which is hidden in all of us) and found a way to endure the 1-2 hour journey on camel-back. The point being is that you should give yourself no other option but to get your head down and on with the task at hand. Now, if you're still reading this, you need to go back to point no. 2! It’s not difficult to become somewhat of an expert in almost any topic these days. With the plethora of books, libraries in every town, Google and Wikipedia on your fingertips and smartphones in your pocket, there never has been a more well-connected time in the history of the world. Research has been made swifter and easier and the spread of knowledge and news has been made instantaneous. Therefore, in current times, becoming somewhat of an expert in any topic needn’t be too difficult. Writing is a great way to become well-versed in a subject. Consider, when you have to write an essay or a report or any other piece, you necessarily have to research, investigate and read well into the topic you are writing about. Therefore writing itself is a great way of learning as it’s not possible to write unless you know what you are talking about and have had some experience in the subject matter. When writing school essays or reports, you first attend lessons, read textbooks, discuss topics and then to round it all off and prove the knowledge you have learnt, you have to write about it and submit it to the teacher. Therefore a well written piece full of facts and research proves the knowledge you have gained during your investigation. It’s the same with journalists. Journalists are trained to research, investigate and cover news stories. They go out to events and scenes to find out what’s happening. They take notes, interviews and do in-depth research into the history, background and significance of the story. Such research and thorough investigation is vital for well written articles and in the media industry there’s possibly nothing more important than a well put together story with relevant facts, figures and statistics. Scholars, professors and learned people often write books to share their experience, expertise and knowledge. Having written a book on a subject is a sure way to prove your expertise and competence in that particular field. Often, when people are interviewed or introduced in professional environments (and in informal settings) they are usually presented as ‘author of such and such book(s)’. This adds weight and legitimacy to whatever claims they make or comments they put forth about the topic in question. Having written a book and being an author is strong evidence to suggest that you have relevant knowledge and understanding in the area.
To write a strong piece you necessarily have to research, read, observe, investigate and discover the facts, stories and truths behind your chosen topic. Therefore, writing is an excellent way of not only learning new things, for to write well, you must also read well, but it’s also a brilliantly sure way to prove your expertise and knowledge in the field and gain respect, recognition and authority in a particular area. Moreover, there is no better time than now to do this. What I mean about ‘now’ is twofold. If there is something we wish to achieve or do in life, we must start immediately. Procrastinating and putting of doing our tasks will lead us nowhere. That doesn’t mean we have to achieve the desired objective immediately, only that we must start as soon as we possibly can. Great victories, achievements and successes often take years to accomplish and even then, there have been many a great achievement which have only been recognised years after it was done. The important thing is to start on our way and then work on it day by day and patiently persevere till the desired goal has been accomplished. The second meaning of ‘now’ is what I mentioned in the beginning. There has never been an era like this. It’s never been easier to find information, gather resources and speak to people, it’s about time we all took advantage of this. We now have tools and technology which was never available to us before. This is a great time to learn, to write, to discover - and to become experts in whatever interests us in life. ‘There’s no better time to start than now’ Football teaching us life lessons? You may wonder in astonishment how possibly a commercial and professional sport can possibly teach us any life lessons. Well, read on! Because in sport, as with life, we have to use certain skills, habits and abilities to get on. There's little doubt (as we'll see below) that football is much more than a mere game. Football (or soccer) is the world’s most popular sport. With exciting players, great clubs and fierce competition, professional football is great to watch. It’s not all about cheering on your favourite team though, watching football (and playing it) can teach us many great life lessons as well. Here are 31 life lessons we can learn from following football: 1. Some of the greatest victories are from the greatest comebacks. 2. There's always next year so never be disheartened, go back, prepare and use failure to come back stronger for next time. 3. Everyone has a part/role to play. Don't dismiss anyone who is weaker than you in strength or intelligence. There is no such thing as 'a waste of space'. Sometimes people haven't found what they're good at or what their potential is. Everyone has a purpose in this life and a role to play, sometimes those who seem 'worthless' in the eyes of people end up becoming the greatest of people some years later. Therefore respect everyone, especially the 'nerds', as you may end up one day working for them. 4. Underdogs winning - one of the most beautiful successes is when you succeed despite no one ever expecting you to and while defying all the odds. 5. Moving on after defeat game by game - the best remedy to a loss is to get back on the horse quickly, start the next task and succeed. 6. It's never over until the very final whistle - how many goals are scored right at the very end, literally before the final whistle? So never think it's over and there's no way back or nothing more to do. It's never over! Until the fat lady sings... (as the maxim goes). 7. Perseverance, grit and determination can overcome some of the most difficult situations. How many small teams have beaten giants simply through sheer perseverance and determination? 8. Be Honest, don't cheat - the amount of players who dive, cheat and foul while the referee isn't watching is bizarre. Don't they know that thousands of fans are watching live and cameras are recording from all angles? Yet they seem to forget it while on the pitch. So don't forget, someone is always watching - be fair, play by the rules and don't cheat. 9. Work as a team. Many hands make light work and everyone has a different set of skills to offer. You can't always do it on your own, you always need someone else's help at times. This is the way of the world, cooperation and mutual help and working together to make things better. 10. You win some, you lose some, you draw some. That's football, that's life. No team can ever have a 100% winning record. Everyone fails from time to time and each failure has a lesson for us to learn from for the next opportunity. 11. Different situations require different tactics. Football is about formations, tactics and adapting to the situation - so is life. Sometimes if things aren't working well you have to change up. Different situations require different responses. Be prepared to change and adapt when required. 12. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! If things are going well don't change anything just for the sake of it. Sometimes managers take off the best players for no foreseeable reason. If things are going well, keep going and don't stop. 13. Respect your opponent. Respect those who you come up against. Good sportsmanship and fair play builds bridges, breaks barriers and promotes goodwill. 14. Don't get complacent. When in a winning position, don't lose your focus or lessen your effort. Many times a team goes in to half time with a lead of up to 4-0 and the other team comes out fighting - they have nothing to lose - which ends the game at a draw. Keep it up. If you make progress, make more. 15. Keep your nerve. Penalties and delicate situations are all about being calm, collected, focused and keeping your nerve. Take a deep breath before you do anything rash. 16. Be focussed. Keep your focus and concentration throughout everything you do. Many a time, during the end of a match, players get tired, lose their concentration and let in a goal. Keep focussed all the time and keep your mind on the task at hand. 17. It's not always about winning. It really isn't. They say it's not the winning that counts, it's the taking part. Taking part requires guts in itself and sheer determination and will power. Not everyone wins all the time but sometimes it's about the enjoyment of participating in something exciting, worthwhile and enjoyable. Often I don't care if my team lose as long as they play passionate, entertaining football. Winning is just a bonus. 18. Take it one game at a time, one day at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day and nor are titles and championships. Place one brick a day and in time you'll have a mighty wall. Take your time, do a little everyday but do it regularly. Good teams always take it game by game. 19. Don't showboat or insult others, it may come back to haunt you. You might be winning and showing off now, but when you come back to play your opponent again, he'll be more motivated and determined than ever. Be humble in victory and resolute in defeat. 20. Have passion for what you do. If you have true passion for whatever you do then you can never fail nor will working ever seem like a chore. 21. If it doesn't work, change it. If something isn't going well in life then you have to alter it. It's no good persisting in a lost cause or walking down a blind alley. Sometimes you just have to accept that one way isn't working and change course. Doing that doesn't mean you're admitting defeat or have failed, it means you're moving forward. Apparently it took Thomas Edison thousands of attempts to invent the light bulb until he eventually did it. And what was his reaction to his 'failures'? He said 'I have not failed, I have only found a thousand ways that don't work' and 'every wrong step discarded is a step forward'. 22. You make your own luck. When a player scores a 'lucky' goal or gets a penalty and the commentator says 'they got lucky there', I think to myself well no, they made their own luck by attacking, shooting, trying hard and getting inside the box. Therefore they made their own luck by giving it their all. When you try your best and strive hard, you're bound to succeed and what looks like just sheer luck, is actually hard work and persistence. 23. You have to last the distance. Sometimes a team does well the entire season and stays top of the league, however nearing the end, they either burn out with fatigue or they don't have the mental toughness to finish the job. It's the same in any match, if you don't last the 90+ minutes, all your hard work during the match may prove to be in vain if you let in a late goal. It's all about consistency and finishing the job you've started. 24. It's not always the talent or skill that matters, grit and determination often can get you through. Many strong teams with hugely talented players are often defeated by weaker teams with a solid game plan and strong determination. 25. Utilise technology, it's there to help us all. We finally have goal line technology which ensure that goals aren't wrongfully ruled out, making play fairer and the official's jobs easier. Therefore, utilise technology to your advantage, it can make life so much easier if used correctly. With mobiles, tablets, social media, computers, gadgets etc, technology can make you more organised, productive and efficient. 26. Resilience is needed for success in the long run. 27. If you try hard and give it your best, your very all, then even if you lose you'll gain possibly more respect than you would have if you'd actually won. See how Algeria, USA, Nigeria and Chile gave it their all and earned the respect and admiration of their nations despite losing. 28. Play to your strengths. Don't try to be someone you're not or do something you can't. Do what you're good at and develop your skills. Follow your intuition, it knows what you're meant to be. Whatever you are good at and enjoy, pursue it. 29. Don't be greedy. Many star players who move for the wrong reason eg. money, end up being forgotten and put on the bench whereas before they were the stars of the show and leaders of their clubs. Be content and grateful for what you have. 30. There's more to life than football! Some people unfortunately kill themselves when they see their team lose. For all they know, maybe their team may one day come back as great champions. Not everyone can win all the time or stay top forever. Your rivals may taunt you today but tomorrow their team may suffer an even heavier defeat, therefore never lose heart and keep supporting your team through thick and thin and remember, football is just a game at the end of the day, there's so much more out there to look forward to in life. 31. It's not how you begin, it's how you finish. What happens in the end is what counts and what people remember. No one is going to remember Algeria's brave attempt against Germany this World Cup or Suarez's bite. What people will always remember is who gets to the final and wins in the end, despite whatever happened before. Therefore put your past behind you and focus on the future. Look at Spain in the 2010 World Cup, they lost the first match yet went on to win the World Cup in the end so no one cared about the first loss. Therefore, it's what happens in the end that truly matters, as long as you reach your goal and final destination... Stress is a big issue in this fast paced and multifaceted society we live in. People have so many worries, problems, responsibilities and pressures. This makes tackling stress all the more important. Here are 5 ways to reduce stress. 1. Stop worrying Find the root cause of your worries and fix it or at least makes steps to do so. A saying comes to mind related to this, 'worrying is as effective in solving a problem as chewing a bubble gum is'. In other words, if there is a problem, worrying isn't going to fix it. Your worry and the problem will both be fixed by tackling whatever the root cause of the worry is. Writing your worries down and solutions or steps you can take to remedy them can be a big step in overcoming unnecessary worrying. Worry isn't all bad, at best it simply draws our attention to the issues that need addressing in our lives or in any situation. Worrying can actual lead to many issues being uncovered early on and thus resolved before they actually cause a significant problem. But as with anything in excess, excessive worrying is something that zaps vitality out of a person. 2. Clear your head Sometimes it's best to simply stop thinking too much and take a deep breath. Draw your attention away from whatever it is that distracts you and think 'happy thoughts' Often, if you forget about whatever is bothering you and distract yourself, when you come back to the cause of the stress, it resolves itself. So clear your mind from negative thinking by replacing it with positive things. Take a walk in the fresh air and focus on nothing but the nature and surroundings around you. 3. Be with nature Nature has a soothing touch and gives a person serenity. Spending time in the sun, in the fields, parks and in the fresh air is not only good for your body but also for your mind - and stress. Take a long walk and look around you. Listen to the birds, feel the air and smell the flowers. Refresh yourself and your mind. 4. Have an outlet Speak to people who will listen and can empathise. Share your problems with people close to you and who understand. Often just venting our issues in some way releases the negative stress and energy within us. Everyone has a different way of releasing our inner complaints, it can be through writing, talking, exercise or simply praying or meditating. 5. Do things that you enjoy Remember, life isn't all work, worries, problems and frustrations. Life is something beautiful and nothing lasts for ever. Bad times come and go and no pain, evil or suffering lasts forever. It's just not the way of this life. There are cycles and things change, people change and so do circumstances. While everyone has worries, concerns and responsibilities, it's important to sometimes get away from those things and relax. Do what you enjoy. Be with people who make you feel better and say nice things. Do exercise that you enjoy, read and watch interesting content. Take a day out with the family and/or friends. Don't worry or think about anything else, you can get back to your responsibilities and tasks with a fresher and sharper uncluttered mind after taking a break. And if all else fails... A disclaimer: I am not a health expert or psychologist by any means. The tips above are my recommendations based on various literature and personal experience. Gratitude is an exceptionally important principle in Islam and is emphasised frequently in the Holy Qur'an and Ahadith. In fact, we as humans beings have two fundamental obligations to carry out - they are 'Haqooqullah' (rights of God) and 'Haqooqul Ebad' (rights of the creation). In other words we have to give Allah and His creation the rights that are due to them. Gratefulness is one of these rights. According to a saying of the Holy Prophet, a person who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah and gratefulness is something mentioned frequently in the Qur'an: "Then We forgave you thereafter, that you might be grateful." Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 : Verse 53 "And when your Lord declared, ‘If you are grateful, I will, surely, bestow more favours on you; but if you are ungrateful, then know that My punishment is severe indeed." Ibrahim Chapter 14 : Verse 8 "And, truly, thy Lord is gracious to mankind, but most of them are not grateful." Al-Naml Chapter 27 : Verse 74 The Holy Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) advises on the way to develop gratefulness. He is reported to have said that a person should look at those below him or those less well-off, rather than looking at those who are more advantaged in terms of wealth, status etc. (Sahih Muslim : Book 42 "Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq", Number 7068) This is a fine way of ensuring that jealously and ingratitude is successfully curbed. Indeed in my experience, instead of thinking about those who have more than me, I often remember that there are millions in the world who are without even the basic necessities and therefore I should be even more grateful for the smallest comforts in life. Furthermore, gratitude leads to a positive mindset and therefore happiness, contentment and peace of mind. As Allah says in the Quran: "And whoso is rid of the covetousness of his own soul — it is these who will be successful." This verse makes a very potent point, namely that those who rid themselves of envy and jealous thinking will be successful. It is human experience that those who are generally more positive lead more fulfilling and successful lives. So gratefulness is something which leads to positivity which in turn leads a person to all kinds of success. There are always at least two sides of any situation and those who look at the 'bright side' of things generally are more capable of overcoming difficult situations and making the most of positive situations. Therefore, gratefulness and positivity are win-win attitudes in any case. The Promised Messiah also expounded the issue by explaining that as (according to the Holy Prophet) one cannot be grateful to God, without being grateful to people, it is incumbent upon us to be grateful to the nation we live in. This is the reason why he frequently praised the British government who provided all the freedoms and protection to citizens so they may practice their faith freely, without any hindrance, whatever their faith may have been. Therefore, gratitude is such an important attribute which can even make a person a more law abiding citizen. A person who is grateful for the opportunities, freedoms and protection that the state affords, is far less likely to flout the rules and laws of the state. True gratitude though, is actually linked to actions. A person who is truly grateful is one who makes sure that no action of his goes against his benefactor. Therefore, true gratitude towards Allah is not merely doing lip service, rather, true gratitude is such that it completely transforms a person. Consequently, sincere gratitude towards God is in utilising all of His favours in the best possible manner and doing good with the gifts He has bestowed on us. The greatest gift being life and guidance which means it is incumbent upon us to live life purposefully and follow the guidance which has been sent down for our benefit. True purity can only really be achieved when one's heart, mind, body and soul are fully cleansed. This isn't something that can be achieved in one day. Rather, it takes time, effort, energy and commitment, as well as persistence and is in fact a life-long process. As the shell that houses our inner being, our body has an immensely important role in self-cleansing. If the outer sphere is unclean, then the inner part has no chance at all so here are 5 ways to keep your body clean, fit, healthy and pure.
1. Eat right The maxim 'you are what you eat' holds ever true. Food is known to have a profound effect on not only your body but also your mind, heart and soul. Moderation is key, eat not too much of one thing but have a little of everything in proportion. Also never eat too much or overfill yourself. A general rule is to fill 1/3 of your stomach with food, 1/3 with water and leave a third for air - to breath. It takes your body a considerate amount of energy to digest your food - energy that can be better utilised elsewhere. So it's always better to regulate the amount of food you eat. 2. Drink plenty of water Water is the drink of life. Just as the earth is made up of 70% water, so are our bodies. Get addicted to water, drink it all day long. It is the best way of flushing out toxins and impurities. Until your urine is regularly either very light or clear, then you're not getting enough water. Water will hydrate you more than anything else and keep your concentration levels high and your skin clear and smooth but don't just take my word for it, see here, here and here. 3. Remove all intoxicants and offending foods This may be one of the hardest ones. Giving up something isn't easy and requires tremendous motivation, dedication and commitment but it can and has been done. There's hardly any need for a reminder of the harms of smoking - you get it on every packet you buy. Likewise it's better to give up alcohol all together as the principle in life should be that anything which has more harm than benefit should not be pursued. As drinking alcohol is likely to get you drunk, lose your senses, damage your liver and senses, it's best to stay complete away from it all. And don't even go near drugs! If you are truly looking for a clean, healthy and pure body then keep away from those three harmful intoxicants - alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. If you're addicted to anything then fight that addiction! Eating an apple in the morning is better than coffee and will keep you feeling clean, free and fresh whereas the effects of coffee will eventually wear off leaving you no option but to drink more thus making you a slave to that bitter tasting drink, not to mention the unpleasant coffee breath you'll get afterwards. In the same way tea, fizzy drinks, junk food and anything else you seem to be unable to live without, give them up from time to time. This will not only be good for your body but it will greatly strengthen your will power and mental capacity. Take it in small steps, the first 3 days are the hardest, but it starts getting easier after that. From 3 days go to 7, then if you can go 21 days without giving in to your cravings, you can consider yourself successful. 4. Exercise Yes, you can't escape exercise. It's recommended to have at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and thumb exercises on your Xbox or playstation controller doesn't count. Nor can you trick yourself in to thinking you're actually playing football while you're actually staring at a screen with 22 players running around while you twiddle your thumbs. No. Exercise means actually getting up and moving about. If you haven't done it in a while start slowly. You have to crawl, walk and then run. I don't actually mean start crawling around your living room but start by light exercises such as moving your arms and legs, stretching, yoga then you can move on to walks, jogging and and even the gym or team and individual sports. Everyone needs exercise, preferably at least 30 minutes a day minimum. There are so many different forms of exercise to try. Try brisk walking, jogging, football, table tennis, squash, yoga etc. Find something you enjoy and exercise won't feel so much like a chore. The key to this is trying new sports and exercises a few times and see which one works best. Personally I like mixing things up. Start with a brisk walk or jog in the morning with some yoga. Some table tennis in the evening and a football match once or twice a week. Occasionally I'll go to the gym and do a light workout. I have a friend who found his passion in gym workout and from being of average build, he's now become one of the most muscly people I know. An upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger you might even say. Point is, if you find your passion, you'll do much better. 5. Morning is best If there ever was a time to purify yourself, it is most certainly the morning period. Apart from the early morning peace, serenity and calm, the morning is a great time for self-reflection, contemplation and preparing for the day. If you start the day with peace and calmness you'll be better able to effectively tackle your problems and tasks in the day. Start the morning with a nice brisk walk, taking in the clean morning air which will also assist in helping your digestive system work properly. The body eliminates toxins and bodily waste best in the morning so it's a good idea to get a good start. Don't have a lie in, rather, get going with some exercise, shower and drink plenty of water in the morning as well as fruits which will not only give you energy but will help cleanse your body. As they say 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Speaking of fruits, exercise and water - these are some of the most effective methods of removing the problem of constipation. As far as purifying the body is concerned, constipation is the antithesis of purity. When the body can't remove waste, what hope is there of purifying the body? I have a proven method to tackle constipation however bad. It seems to be quite a big problem and really hinders a person's life causing discomfort and distress. So there it is. 5 ways to purify one's body. Remember, when you're successful in cleansing and purifying your body it in turn heals and gets rid of many of your niggling health problems, makes your mind sharper and clearer, strengthens your immune system, improves your sleep and makes you a much more effective, well-rounded and happy person. Take care of your body and it will take care of you! |
AuthorAtif Rashid writes about faith, extremism & mental health. Categories
All
Archives
August 2021
|