Saturday 29 March 2014

Don’t Hope,… Decide!

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.
For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?
“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”
Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.
I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”

24 Things To Always Remember...and One Thing To Never Forget......

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.
Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.
Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem,
the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot... goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people... together.
Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.
And don't ever forget...
for even a day... how very SPECIAL you are.
Collin McCarty

To make the proper choices in life we have to make priorities. Here are ten things that I believe are among the most important........

1. The most important thing parents can do for their kids is to have a good relationship with each other. This is where children get their lessons in life on how to be with another person. Set a good example.

2. The most important thing a man can do for his love is to cherish them. If your mate feels your love and knows that you are there for them, it creates a very strong foundation.

3. The most important thing a woman can do for her partner is to be a great cheerleader. We all need to know that we are the star player in the eyes of the person we love.

4. The most important thing to know about yourself is that you are good enough. You don't have to be the best at anything to have a great life. Don't let anyone's criticism of something you've done keep you from feeling good about yourself.

5. The most important thing to feel is that you are loved. Life without love is just tolerable. I really think that feeling the love, where ever it comes from, is the only way to truly experience life to its fullest.
6. The most important thing to do in life is to contribute to the well-being of humanity. Everything else aside, the knowledge that you have made the world a tiny bit better just by being here and trying to help is a great way to get you through the rough patches.

7. The most important thing to remember is that special person who has been good to you. That teacher in grammar school who helped you discover a special talent you have. The one who won your heart. The person whose name you'll never know who pulled over to help you change a tire.

8. The most important thing to give to yourself is time. Life is a limited window of opportunity. Wasting time (which is different from relaxing) is one of the ways we hurt ourselves. Anger, resentment, feeling too sorry for ourselves, and plotting revenge are just a few of the ways we waste the precious minutes of our lives.

9. The most important thing in the world is the people who are in it. Look, if we were really meant to be alone, there wouldn't be so many of us on the planet. Your mission is to find those deserving of your talents and time and to treasure and share your life with them.

10. The most important thing in life is to feel that you are living it to the best of your abilities. Knowing that you are reaching your potential is comforting. You want your life to end with as few regrets as possible.
These life lessons are just common sense, but I have found over the years that common sense ain't all that common.

Buddha Quotes

A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker. Buddha 

A jug fills drop by drop. Buddha 

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him. 


All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. 


All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain? 


Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals. 


An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. 


An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. 


Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. 


Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. 


Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. 


Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. 


Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. 


Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair. 


Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. 


Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. 


Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. 


Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. 


He is able who thinks he is able. 


He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye. 


He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes. 


Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. 


Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. 


However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? 


I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act. 


I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done. 


In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves. 


In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then beleive them to be true. 


It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. 


It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell. 


It is better to travel well than to arrive. 


Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. 


Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue. 


Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. 


No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. 


On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. 


Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. 


Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.


The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground. 


The mind is everything. What you think you become. 


The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. 


The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. 


The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood. 


The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast. 


The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. 


The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. 


The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve. 


There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting. 


There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it. 


There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. 


Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace. 


Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. 


Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. 


To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent. 


To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. 


To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. 


To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance. 


Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two. 


Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good. 


We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them. 


We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. 


We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. 


What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood? 


What we think, we become. 


Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill. 


When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear. 


Without health life is not life; it is only a state of langour and suffering - an image of death. 


Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. 


You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection. 


You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. 


You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. 


Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it. 


I HAVE LEARNT.......

I’ve learned-
that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I’ve learned-
that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.
I’ve learned-
that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned-
that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned-
that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned-
that you should never ruin an apology with an excuse.
I’ve learned-
that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something.
I’ve learned-
that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.
I’ve learned-
that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I’ve learned-
that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I’ve learned-
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I’ve learned-
that you can keep going long after you can’t.
I’ve learned-
that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I’ve learned-
that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned-
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I’ve learned-
that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned-
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I’ve learned-
that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I’ve learned-
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned-
that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I’ve learned-
that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned-
that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned-
that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned-
that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I’ve learned-
that your family won’t always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren’t biological.
I’ve learned-
that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you are to learn to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned-
that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned-
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned-
that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
I’ve learned-
that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned-
that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I’ve learned-
that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I’ve learned-
that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I’ve learned-
that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.
I’ve learned-
that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I’ve learned-
that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I’ve learned-
that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I’ve learned-
that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings, and standing up for what you believe.
I’ve learned-
that people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

AWESOME SENTENCES.....

Shakespeare.
"Never Play With The Feelings Of Others Because U May Win The Game But The Risk Is That U Will Surely Lose The Person For A Life Time".

Napoleon.
"The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, But because of the silence of good people!"

Einstein.
"I am thankful to all those who said NO to me It's because of them I did it myself."

Abraham Lincoln.
"If friendship is ur weakest point then U are the strongest person in the world."

Shakespeare.
"Laughing Faces Do Not Mean That There Is Absence Of Sorrow! But It Means That They Have The Ability To Deal With It".

William Arthur.
"Opportunities Are Like Sunrises, If You Wait Too Long You Can Miss Them".

Hitler.
"When You Are In The Light, Everything Follows You, But When You Enter Into The Dark, Even Your Own Shadow Doesn't Follow You."

Shakespeare.
"Coin Always Makes Sound But The Currency Notes Are Always Silent. So When Your Value Increases Keep Quiet.

A VERY HEART TOUCHING STORY..

After the Earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person was worshiping; her body was leaning forward, and her two hands were supporting by an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head.


With so many difficulties, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could be still alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away for sure.

He and the rest of the team left this house and were going to search the next collapsed building. For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his had through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed with excitement, “A child! There is a child! “


The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3 months old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice for saving her son. When her house was falling, she used her body to make a cover to protect her son. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully when the team leader picked him up.

The medical doctor came quickly to exam the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside the blanket. There was a text written on the screen. It said,”

If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” This cell phone was passing around from one hand to another. Every body that read the message wept. ” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.”

Such is the mother’s love for her child!.......

GLIMPSES OF PARADISE.....

Close your eyes and imagine this:
Eternal bliss;
Your every wish
at your finger tips
and more…
Perched on a throne, near a stream;
So serene and exquisite a scene
You’ve never seen
Yet you still dream
of more…
Gone is pain, gone is fear,
Gone is grief, gone are tears;
Idle speech you shall never hear,
And the Prophets make up your social sphere
and more…
The martyrs, righteous and truthful too—
You are from them, and they from you.
They held tightly to what they knew was true,
and to join them, you did too.
There’s more…
Maidens, chaste, who restrain their gaze,
Lost in a glance for days and days.
Fun and frolic, as a child plays
Where the breath that leaves your lips is praise
of the One who gave you more…
Imagine you and your father, with ages the same;
Imagine showing off your book with no shame;
Imagine nights with the sahabah1, with their stories to entertain;
Imagine Muhammad ﷺ2 knowing your name.
What could there be more…
Gardens underneath which rivers flow;
A goal so far, and yet so close;
A journey worth taking, for those who know;
Tell me—Do you not wish to go?
For more?
For all the bounties, all the grace,
All the sights and the smells and the tastes,
Will be forgotten, without a trace,
as if frozen in time and space—
When you see His Face.
What an excellent Master, of a miserable slave—
You forgot and He forgave.
He gave you guidance, and you still strayed
You asked for mercy, that He gave—
and more… and more… and more…



(A short poem written by Ammar Alshukry)

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND TRUST YOUR CREATOR! :)

There is no job under the sun, which is not respectable as long as u r in your moral and religious limitations. Each work or profession u take up has the highest point. Sky is the limit. U yourself are your own limit.And you gotta reach that highest point of whatever profession u take up. For instance even a profession like a barber has a topmost limit. The barber of various actors and actresses have already reached their highest, they have gotten into the film industry and most important of all, they are happy with it.



According to he normal Indian mentality, or lets say  people think and it’s a well known fact that only careers like Medicine and Engineering are acceptable as the so called “professional” course and the other professions are looked down upon. Well, the scenario has changed in past couple of years but not much. People who have done MBBS or engineering are looked upon with awe and respect. And as a consequence of which, most of the students from the initial days of their school life are pressurized either by their parents or the society to get into either of the two “chosen”professions.



But more often than quite not, what really matters is happiness and self contentment and not only money and fame all the time. Things may be difficult and sometimes may seem next to impossible but remember, not impossible itself! There’s no profession bad or less compared to the others.Always remember, I AM are two of the most powerful words, for what u put after them shapes your reality. Whether it be friends, money or magic beans that u r collecting, there is always someone who has more than u, but that doesn’t mean u leave your quest of achieving your goals n realizing your dreams! Its not how many u have that counts. Its all about how passionate you are about collecting them.Its all about the journey.


If u are real, genuine and unapologetically yourself, the right people will respect u. And well the wrong people, they don’t matter!


And finally, the root of happiness comes with your relation with yourself and how rightly and optimistically you perceive things around u. You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter how good u are and what u do, there is always someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on your doing of what’s right and what really makes u happy. Because the only person on this planet who can keep u happy, is your own self. What others think or feel about u isn’t important at all. What matters is how u feel about yourself and your life and how you r navigating it.


And yes, trying to be someone else is a waste of time and person who u are. Strength comes from being comfortable in your skin. Because u r one special piece only! 

Always remember, 

" If you feel weak, know that your strengths are greater than your weakness. 

If you have a disability, know that your ability is greater than your disability.

If you feel sorrow, know that with every hardship comes ease."



 ~Fareeha Arshad