In my case, people said to me: “it’s just a phase.”
I answered: “this is not a phase.” I am detaching myself from society and its idealistic conformities, daily.
Sometimes I slip, sometimes I soar high. I am giving up my outward vision for a deeper connection and meaningful living.
The first year was easy, the second year welcomed challenge and resistance: the neon lights can be alluring but I remind myself that they are purposeless, they always have been – never have they been a source for my well being. I remind myself that true happiness is intangible, and my need for creed far exceeds the flashing glimpses of happiness; short moments that are solely distractions from a lifelong endless joy, but the human being is a forgetful one. In Arabic, human being is called Insan, the root word translates to, forgetful. So let us not forget that all we seek is within us, and we don’t need to validate it through our social media’s alter ego, neither through societies guidelines, neither through trends: Smoothies/ Quinoa/ Kale/ Coconut? Yoga in Bali? Contouring my face? Growing my behind?
Get to know yourself.
For one that does not have a firm foundation will find himself swaying at the whims of the latest headlines.
Nurture your own utopic world ? You know how? You switch off the noise, both yours and the worlds, it is only when the chatters are silenced that your soul can speak to you. It is important to step out of the crowd to hear your own voice, surely it will speak true and take you back home to where you belong. Layer by layer you return to your ‘self’. Your goal is to become a better you, so don’t let anyone dictate what that means. Islam teaches us to live in dedication to the pursuit of self improvement in every aspect of our life.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us: The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.
Islam is the perfection of your character.
It is your soul awakening.
Islam is evolution. And it is a journey with plenty of battles, inner battles, between the armed forces of the mind, body and heart.
