Reclaim your heart

'What is a gift? A gift is something that did not come from us. It comes and goes. But what happens when a gift becomes more than just a gift? What happens when a want becomes a need, a favor becomes a dependency? What happens when a gift is no longer only that?'

A little checklist

'Striving to become a better person.' That's the answer i give people when i tell them what i what to change about myself. The couple last months i've been reflecting on myself and felt that i need a purpose in life. One purpose. Something to focus on. Something that could make me even feel better. Something that would touch me in the heart. Eventually i came to the conclusion that the answer was right in front of me. I always wanted to become a better Muslima. So my answer changed into: 'Striving to become a better Muslima.'
What i mean with this is: I am really inspired with the deen Al Islaam, because it gives me strength in life. But i also think that it's really important to give people the right answer when they ask me something about my religion. That last part was getting harder for me troughout the years. To gain knowledge about my religion was my number one goal.

The main reason for this big change of mindset was that i've been struggling to protect my imaan from all these bittersweet things in life. And ofcourse i still am, because it's a daily obstacle to not be distracted from the things u wanna focus on. But i was constantly getting in circles. From struggling to realisations.
I wanted to do too much. Doing everything i love, but what happends with everything i need?
I needed to find a way to get along with my deen without being deceived from these world obstacles that would distract me from my goal.

I made a little checklist for myself to get closer to my, or any other, goal:
- Constantly reflect on yourself. Practise is the only thing that can help you if you want to be 'better' in something.
- Start with a minimum list 'things to do', to avoid stress. It can also help you to create a certain way of lifestyle you wanna adapt to.
- Avoid negativity & bad habits, like gossip & cursing.
- Keep the joy in life. Do the things you love to do.
- Don't exhaust yourselve too much. It can take away the 'joy'.
- Keep things to yourself. Avoid to show off and gain people's admiration about what you wanna change so much about yourself. 

- Today is better than tommorow. Don't tell yourself 'i will do it tommorow', when you can easily do it today.

Remember the Prophet's salallahu aleyhi wasallam wish: 'When we truly love someone, we love to know of their wishes and respect them enough make them come true.'

Inspired by: http://www.theidealmuslimah.com