Needs & Wants

Peace be upon all...

I chanced upon these two hadith during my reflection hour...yes, Alhamdullilah, my wish and my dua came true...Allah has given me the luxury of time to do morning reflections without being disturbed and feeling rushed. At least 2 or 3 times and sometimes 4 times (depending on my hubby working hours) a week I get some time to do reflection. These two hadith have inspired me to write on needs and wants...

It is reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas that there was (once) a downpour during the life of the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him Upon this the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed: Some people entered the morning with gratitude and some with ingratitude (to Allah). Those who entered with gratitude said: This is the blessing of Allah, and those who entered with ingratitude said: Such and such asterism was right. It was upon this that the verse was revealed: I swear by the setting of the stars to the end and make your provision that you should disbelieve it.  (Sahih Muslim – Book #001, Hadith #0135)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “There is a (compulsory) Sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) everyday the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one’s way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa.”  (Sahih Bukhari – Book #52, Hadith #232)

Haha! But the hadith are on Gratitude & Sadaqah, what have both got to do with Needs & Wants? ... Well, I almost change the title to gratitude but really our mind is a web in itself and we can link and integrate any value to one another and make sense of it...it just dawned on me that in order for you to be in gratitude you have to be able to differentiate you needs and your wants...

The feeling of being thankful and being in gratitude with what you have will make you focus on the needs of the day and away from your wants.

Let me give a simple example, I m thankful for my health and therefore I feel in gratitude to Allah that He had given me good health and strength to do my obligations during the day. In order to show that gratitude I promised to look after my health by exercising and eating food that will make me healthy. As such I will only do things that are needed; to exercise and eat healthy food to show to Allah that I am thankful for what He has given me and in the process I will be rewarded with good health...it’s cyclical! And thus avoid my wants of all those junk food...

There were times when I thought of or I was asked to advice someone on certain things and I backed off with the following questions:

1.     Does this person see the NEED to change?

2.     Is whatever he/she is doing is a PROBLEM to her/him?

3.     Or is it a PROBLEM to others/me?

Firstly, if this person WANTS to change but do not really see the NEEDs – forget it! But if he or she wants to change and see the need to change then, I’ll help.

Secondly, if she or he does not think it is a problem – forget it! But if it is a problem to her or him then we can work something out.

Thirdly, if it is a problem to others then those who thinks that it is a problem has to make the change that will not affect people who does not think that it is a problem. Tricky? Well here is an example; I used to get irritated at loud voices when I was working in the office. I am an AD so, anything for that matter will distract me. But those people who make the noises do not think it is a problem...ya, yah u can said they are so inconsiderate and whatever not and blame others – but what good will it be? The problem is YOU find it is a problem. While others doesn’t. So YOU have to CHANGE because it is your NEEDs not others. So whenever I need to block the sound off I put on my earpiece and listen to music that will allow me to focus. or I look at it as time to socialize and join them and make the noises together (socialize lah).

 Thus it is no longer a problem to me. I want to get rid of the noises when I see the need to get rid of it...

Well there are many other issues on wants and needs when it comes to buying stuff but that is another long story...I will WANT to write about it when I see the NEED...

May Allah provide us the wisdom to work on our NEEDs instead of our wants, insha'Allah...Amin

FISH! Philosophy # 4

FISH! Philosophy # 4

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

RIGHT NOW IS THE ONE YOU ARE CHOOSING. CHOOSE WISELY, FOR YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT

v      What are my favourite attitude(s)?

o  .

o  .

o  .

v      What are the most common attitudes in my life?

o  .

o  .

v      Do I like those attitudes?

v      How do I shift from one attitude to another?

v      Do I have a system to remind me to do frequent attitude checks?

v      Are there quick ways to assume an attitude?

v      Do I have a default attitude?

v      Do I separate feelings and attitudes?

 

These are the FISH! Philosophy which you can choose to apply in your work, home, or basic outlook towards life itself. I used to wish that I could use it but now I choose to use it wherever and whenever I can. Insha'Allah it will make me a better person as it is in accordance to what Islam taught me.

May Allah shows us the right path, the path of those whom He has bestowed His blessings...Ameeen...

 

About FISH!: Millions of ppl around the world have already use the FISH! Philosophy in running their organisation that they work in. The Philosophy originated from the Pike Place Fish Market has helped many to transform not only their work ettiquetes but also their daily life (especially for those with children) by using the 4 basic philosophy you can make your world a better place to live, insha'Allah.

FISH! Philosophy # 3

Adapted from FISH! for Life by Lundin, Christensen & Paul

FISH! Philosophy # 3

BE THERE

AMAZING THINGS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU LEARN TO BE WHERE YOU ARE

• Where am I right now?
• Where is my intention?
• What are the currents wandering through my mind?
• Are my mind and body in the same place?
• Where do I want my attention?
• What is the impact of my “be there” decision?
• Am I one place at a time, doing one thing at a time, or do I try to do many things at once?
• Is it true that even if I multitask I can still do only one thing at a time?
• Do people know when my attention is somewhere else?
• What have I discovery about that someone when I am there for him/her today?
• What cues can we give one another to promote the practice of “be there”?

Of all the 4 FISH! Philosophy, this is by far the most challenging philisophy for me personally. I am an AD so being there wherever I am is quiet a challenge because my mind starts to wander. Insha'Allah with more practice I'll be able to "Be There" wherever I am.

About FISH!: Millions of ppl around the world have already use the FISH! Philosophy in running their organisation that they work in. The Philosophy originated from the Pike Place Fish Market has helped many to transform not only their work ettiquetes but also their daily life (especially for those with children) by using the four basic philosophy you can make your world a better place to live, insha'Allah.

FISH! Philosophy # 2

Adapted from FISH! for Life by Lundin, Christensen & Paul

Ask yourself these questions and make someone's day!

FISH! Philosophy # 2

MAKE THEIR DAY

A GREAT GIFT IS THE GIFT OF POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT

Whose day will I make today?

When did someone else last make my day?

How might the way I live my life be a source of inspiration for others?
If my life could teach, what would the first lesson be?
What memories did I create for my children/family today?

How will I make someone’s day brighter today?

Who goes unnoticed in my world?

Is there a way to bring special attention to those who toil in the background of my life?(The people who greatly affect the quality of our lives by keeping the floors clean, the street safe and the food on the shelves could use a kind word once in a while)

What am I doing to make the world a better place?

What do my family remember about their time with me? (You never know when you are making memory. You can know when you are being FISH!)

GENIUS IQ WORKSHOP

Start:	Jan 30, '11 10:00a
End:	Jan 30, '11 1:00p

Dear Frens,

There will be a study skill introductory workshop as indicated below. If you wish to attend this seminar, please pm, email or sms me your name, spouse and children attending.

Date: 30th January 2011 (Sunday)
Time: 10am - 1pm
Venue: 3 Temasek Boulevard #02-161/163,
Suntec City Mall ( near POSB Bank )
Singapore 038983

If you wish to go just sms me I will need to book seats for you and your family. The seminar is worth $35 but I have free tickets for those who registered via me. See you there if you cant make it this Sunday the'll b another the following week - venue and time will be given later just pm or email me.

The workshop is almost full so pls HURRY!!!

Thank you!
See you there!

FISH! Philosophy # 1

Peace be to all....

Adapted from FISH! for Life by Lundin, Christensen & Paul

FISH! Philosophy  # 1

PLAY ~ CARRY A LIGHT HEART WHEREVER YOU GO

How can I help to make things light hearted?

Is there a smile in my voice?

Do we value fun?

Do we have fun in our family? When?

Do we have fun as friends?

How do we respond to someone who is always serious?

Are we able to avoid getting too serious about things that really don’t deserve those kinds of energy?

Why does being light heartedness is better than getting too serious?

Are we using levity as a way of avoiding real conversation? (Play can be overdone and used as an escape from difficult and important conversations.)

Do we see the natural joy in life?

Millions of ppl around the world have already use the FISH! Philosophy in running their organisation that they work in. The Philosophy originated from the Pike Place Fish Market has helped many to transform not only their work ettiquetes but also their daily life (especially for those with children) by using the four basic philosophy you can make your world a better place to live, insha'Allah.