Sometimes, We Just Need To Let Things Be

By: Sumaira Hasan

Lately, I feel as if my life has been like a whirlwind. Blowing this way and that, but not actually "doing" anything worthwhile or achieving something. It really gets to me at times and I sit and wonder "What am I doing?” I am constantly trying to do this, or do that, but really none of those things are of major importance, and it won’t matter if they don't get done (at least once in a while).

For example, today I came home and saw the light blinking on my phone, signaling that there was a message on the answering machine.

Heaven or Hell?

By: Shazia Yousuf

"You, and you alone, get to determine whether you are going to react positively about something or negatively about something - or, interestingly, have no reaction at all. Your emotions are entirely under your control. Your feelings are what you want them to be." (Neale Donald Walsch)

Creating heaven for yourself or creating hell, is totally in your hands. In a tough situation, it is up to you to decide whether you wish to fret about it, or you would stay calm and handle things patiently. Have you ever noticed, when you are angry, or sad or feeling low about something, it is you who is suffering the most! No one around you can feel what is inside you, even if you let the storm inside to seep through you. How you respond to a situation is how the situation will appear to you.

I have often taught my ten year old daughter, to not react when someone teases her in school. Her reaction to their act is what would add to their fun, and not reacting would actually be a total spoiler for them!

During power outages, when we would fret and grumble, my father would tell us to imagine that we were on a snow covered mountain, and would make us to try to feel the cold. It was fun and a good past time!

Even God tells us to “…exhort one another to truth, and exhort one another to endurance.” Now the choice is in our hands.

Who Will Heal These Shattered Spirits?

By: Sadaf Chaudhry

No doubt 8^th of March is dedicated to women around the world. On that day world wide the efforts of women are acknowledged by the rigid societies prevailing in the world. They also have a theme each year. Have you all had a look at the theme they designed this year? The theme this year is, "Equal access to education, training, science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women". Is it possible to bring this into life? These things seem out of this world to accomplish.

Muslima Syndrome

This was a note that I found in my father’s diary, addressed to his children in specific, and to everyone else in general. It was a tribute to our mother’s gentle, loving, forgiving, God fearing, kind and generous nature. He wrote this after she passed away.

Reproducing this note here; in fond memory of our mother on her death anniversary.

- Shazia

Muslima Syndrome (By: Muhammad Haris)

My wife, my children’s mother, Muslima, kept on teaching me and my children by setting a living example all her life and even during her last days, that which she knew already without studying very deep into The Book.

Follow them in letter and in spirit if you love her O’! Children, and others – act like this:

 “It was by the Mercy of Allah, that you (Muhammad) dealt with them gently and leniently. Had you been harsh and fierce-hearted, they would have surely broken away from you. So pardon them and implore Allah to forgive them, and seek their counsel in all affairs. And once you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, for Allah likes those who trust in Him in whatever they do.” (Al Quran 3:159)

You Will Always Be Remembered

By: Shazia Yousuf

A perfect daughter, a supportive wife, a proud mother of seven (she always counted her niece brought up in her house as her real daughter), an encouraging sister, a loving mother in law, a very helpful neighbor, the greatest chef,  the most wonderful grand mother ever; all in all a great example of a person with perfect relationships! Loved and remembered by all with words of praise. Muslima – my belated mother.

A symbol of sacrifice since her childhood but never for once complained. She was the source of strength when others felt weak. She always stood up for others when they needed her. Weak at heart, she wept a lot, be it a moment of happiness or sorrow. Yet a symbol of strength when in time of need, she would stand up when others would fall.

Rise And Shine To Enjoy The Breakfast Time!

By: Saima Ausaf

Breakfast literally means, “Breaking the fast” from the last meal consumed the day before. This could be 8-10 hours in general depending on the time the dinner was eaten the previous evening. Nutritionists agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping breakfast is one of the biggest nutritional mistakes that people do quite often.

While you are asleep your body goes on repairing, building and renewing the cells. By the time you wake up, your glucose level is low and your body is drained of its fuel sources. Breakfast gives your body the kick start it needs to function successfully all day long. Glucose is the main energy source for the body and it is required to energize the muscles to cope up with the physical activities required throughout the day.
 

Every Bad Experience Is Actually a Learning Experience

By: Zahoor-ul-Islam

I had lower back pain for the past two weeks. The doctor suggested an MR. After a fairly long wait, I finally got the insurance approval for the MRI, and so I finally went to get it done at the appointment time.

I went to the MRI information desk. I was informed just a little while before my appointment time that I needed to bring some document from the insurance department for the paperwork. I had to rush to the insurance department at the eleventh hour!

Vision

By: Muhammad Haris

It is generally said that one will perish who has no vision. What is vision?

Mother - A Spiritual Relationship

By: Sadaf Chaudhary

 

We are all chained in different relationships. It is a sort of bonding and an acquaintance between two human figures living on the earth. A spiritual relationship is one that aims for the highest good for those in the relationship. It is something that facilitates our spiritual growth. Among all relationships, no relationship can aim for our highest good other than that of a mother.

Happy Mothers' Day - Every Moment, Every Day

By: Shazia Yousuf

I can never forget that very special moment when I held you in my arms for the very first time. The warmth that I felt was something so different; the strange emotions that stirred in my heart were something I had never felt before. Looking into your sparkling eyes was a moment to cherish. That was the very first time I felt a unique bond, a strange sort of love. I had loved before, but this love was so very different. This love was the result of Motherhood! This was my “Happy Mother’s Moment”

The Spiritual Side of The Royal Wedding

By: Shazia Yousuf

There was a lot of hype about the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. People all over the world were excited to witness this fairy tale wedding, which was expected to be full of shimmer and glimmer. Thousands of royal dignitaries attended the wedding and millions of people watched it on their television sets.

Remote Control

By: Zahoor-ul-Islam

I have been living in this apartment for four years now. The apartment has two entrances to the basement parking, one at the front and the other at the back of the building. When I first moved here, I would always use the front entrance, but later on I discovered that the back entrance was more convenient, as it is broader and gives me easier access to my allocated parking space.

Ever since I started using the back entrance, I was always faced with a problem in opening the parking entrance bar which operates with a small remote control. I noticed a lot of other people struggling with it too. I would try different combinations, different distances from the bar, at times pressing the button of the remote with different intensity! I mastered in all sorts of techniques and found one or the other working at different times. It would get quite frustrating at times.