New habits

They say people are what they repeatedly do! (I don't remember whose quote is that)...but I like it because it makes sense how what you do actually shapes "you" as an individual and the things you do regularly do change you and define your life goals, and help you get what you want (or the other way around for that matter!)....

Anyways, I have a mini list of things I must do on daily basis which are important to my short-term and long-term goals and help me be productive....

Here we go:

1. Exercise! okay maybe you weren't expecting me say that because that's so obvious! but hey it's always mostly said than done on a daily basis. I want to focus on muscle-building (not bulky looking!) but some strong ones and also toning my body, losing fat. well, easier put, I want to have a professional dancer's body (!!!). That's a long-term goal but I will get there!

2. Read the Book. I need, that is, my soul needs to read the Quran everyday (for me that fills me, helps me remember my purpose and live in line with it (humans are forgetful so we often need to be reminded of our purpose, specially if it has a lot of implications). I feel relaxed, motivated, at peace, and hopeful when I read and the Quran and deeply think about each verse's meaning...So it must be done on a daily basis!

3. Floss! hahaha, yes, my gums need it everyday!

4. Write. I love to plan things on paper, and also reflect on my feelings, emotions, on life events, and anything and everything by writing. I have a few diaries, a few blogs, and other places I write. It is so so so important for me to keep doing that so I have a hold of where I am emotionally. It helps me be in control. (like what I am doing right now! :D). I must update my blogs regularly too!

5. Research!This last item on my list is a bit different but equally important for my career. I am currently working on a few journal articles, some independently, some collaborating with others. I need to progress and get things done everyday. (I love doing research). oh I forgot, I'm planning on writing a book too with a few other people (details coming soon if it is finalized!)

Alright as time passes, I may update my list, but for now I have a lot to do today it seems! See ya!

The ending or The beginning

I am finite....so are all the people and things around me....that means I and everything in my life (and life itself) have an ending....Everyday we are getting closer to that ending....But is everything going to end?....Or is it actually a beginning...A grand beginning....perhaps we are now sleeping and in illusion....perhaps The Beginning is when we wake up to the real life...perhaps with death comes real life....

No....not everything ends....only physical things end....if you have chosen to be purely a physical being, you are going to end....

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But nay, I am not merely a physical being.... I have chosen....man's choice either saves him or destroys him....that's why he is given freedom....freedom is not to be taken for granted....I have chosen....I am living not for physical reasons....but for a Great Reason....He, I belong to, and to Him I shall return....I am a spiritual being, part of me is physical (which is going to end) but my soul shall live on forever...

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(note: death is beautiful and a beginning, however, we are not to choose when, how, or where we die...the reason I point this out is because I am not in anyway promoting voluntary death..that's a major sin in Islam)....

Response to Charlie Hebdo Incident

A friend of mine just asked me why the Muslims are only condemning the killers of the Charlie Hebdo incident, and why aren't they talking about what the paper often published which was disrespectful towards Muslims? 

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I thought I should share what I think about it here. In Islam, people are free to choose what they want to believe and express...Islam is pro freedom...During the time of prophet Muhammad, there were many people in the society who disrespected and offended him publicly and privately, even throwing things at him as he walked in the streets. 

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As Muslims, when we look at how he and his family responded to such incidents, we learn how to respond as well...He was always gentle and patient and never returned evil for evil...as God commanded him many times to always repel evil with good (Quran: 41:34, 23:96, 28:54)....

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In today's world, it's no different...we are not here to "judge" but to "love"...we are not obliged to "correct" or necessarily "respond" to the extreme actions of others even if those actions are against our beliefs...in fact we are prohibited from any violence....

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So for the case of the cartoonists who disrespected Islam and Muslims, our response must be similar, as the holy Quran again says "For you is your religion (way), and for me is my religion (way)" (109:6)...however, for the Muslim response to the killing done in the name of prophet Muhammad and Islam, there is a lot of disappointment, because that is the opposite of what we are taught and is in fact exactly against what we stand for...

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Thus, the Muslim community must condemn any and all such acts and express their disappointment....so, the reason why Muslims aren't talking about the disrespectful illustrations is because in all of history there were always people who were intolerant and disrespectful to the religion of God, and it is not a new thing; however, our prophet-like reaction to such people and such actions is what makes us Muslim, the people of God.....