So simple to do... yet so effective

Assalaamu’alaykum,

I don't think we fully appreciate how slippery our thoughts can be.

You wake up, it's hot, you've had a disturbed sleep, you're already irritable, your mind is heaving with everything that needs to get done and the challenge of getting through it all as the temperature creeps up.

At this point, your mind is already skewed to see everything that's wrong in the world (not to mention the 30 minutes of doom scrolling before getting out of bed, a silent data dump of even more negativity heaped into your brain).

Your conversations sway towards complaints, talking about how hard things are and slowly depleting your energy reserves as the day goes by.

By the end of the day, you look back and feel like the day was unproductive and unfulfilling.

Ok this paints quite an extreme picture, however I don't think its too far fetched. I think many of us would agree we've experienced some version of this in one way or another.

What if we could reset and start the day differently? Our external world and realities stay the same (the rising temperatures, the uncomfortable nights and the long task-filled days) BUT internally we switch on a part of our brain that helps us regulate our thoughts and widens our viewpoint.

It's a very simple practice that I'm sure you've heard many times before, but I've found in life it usually comes down to the simple things that make the biggest impact.

Before reaching for your phone, getting out of bed or letting a word of complaint slip out, count ten blessings on your fingers and say Alhamdulillah with each one.

Alhamdulilah for my body that still moves. Alhamdulillah for the cooling devices I have access to that millions of people living in refugee camps or mud shacks can only dream of. Alhamdulillah for the four walls and roof that shelter me from the elements... well, you get my drift :) 

We know how powerful gratitude is, but honestly how many of us start our day with it?

If you're someone who's let this practice slip to the back of your mind, take this as your reminder to start right now and say shukr for ten things.

Then make a concerted effort each day going forward to not to move a limb once your eyes open in the morning until your limbs have witnessed your gratitude to Allah.

To go even deeper with this emotion, take one photo during the day of something you're grateful for and spend time reflecting on it or spend two minutes sketching it in a notebook.
Giving your gratitude a physical expression helps it settle in the both the heart and mind. 

Then notice how your world looks and feels different as the day goes by!

Write back and let me know how you get on :) 

Reflection of the Week

Say ten things you're grateful for out loud.

Don't rush through the list. Pause with each blessing, say Alhamdulillah and notice how your heart feels when you acknowledge this blessing from Allah 'azza wajal

Dua of the Week

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَىٰ ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik.

O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You in the best manner.

(Sunan Abi Dawud).

Allah's name of the Week

Ya Wahhab (The Ever-Giving, The Bestower)

Ya Wahhab, every blessing we enjoy is a gift from You. Open our eyes to recognise Your countless favours, soften our hearts with gratitude and protect us from becoming so consumed by what we lack that we overlook what You have already bestowed upon us. Make us among those who remember You in times of ease and hardship alike.

Aameen, ya rabbal aalameen.