Dat hippy feeling

I am currently helping ma write portfolio comments, which shouldn't be that hard because she teaches year two, but is turning out to be extremely tedious. She works under a perfectionist who believes that her way is the only right way, which stresses my mum out. So, even though these kids might grow up and completely forget about whether their teacher wrote that they were 'very good' or 'competent' at addition when they were seven years old, at this point, it is extremely important to their teacher. So, even though I don't see a point in being meticulous in such a trivial thing, I must treat it with utmost importance.

That's the thing about love - we may never see the purpose of a certain action, we may never want to take that particular action even if it kills me - but we do it because it would make someone we love, happy. Someone told me something years ago, and it stuck with me - do little things for your parents, and it'll make them incredibly happy. My life is an example of the truth of this. I am yet to achieve something amazing that they can proudly wear around their neck like a medal. But they smile when they see me. And that makes me happy.

I always analyse my life, happiness, purpose, balance and all that jazz. So, today's conclusion is, we must think about the big stuff - the big tests, the world, our place in it. But that doesn't mean we cannot enjoy the little things that come with it. In fact, being grateful about the little things works very much in coherence with working towards the big things. You learn to complain less, are thankful for the good that God provided for you, patient through the hardships because you know that someone else is suffering a little more, and also a little thankful for the hardships because you know that they'll only make things better for the future if you respond to them with the right attitude.

Abez sez

I recently came across this blog from an article in Muslim Matters. The more I read it, the more I like the person behind it. She is married to someone she calls "HF" - the Husband Friend - because she is married to him, who also happens to be her best friend. She has three children, the oldest has Autism. Her mother is a Mormon and she lives (lived?) in Abu Dhabi - an extremely hot place. I read a bit of her husband's blog too and he seems to have the sense of humour that she has. I like this couple for a few reasons:

- They have a lot of tests in their life, but they are handling with humour.
- They communicate - very clearly.

She seems to live the phrase "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". She is also anti-praise (when it's done in front of people), so I hope she never comes across this post.

She is making me think about how I have a tendency to analyse every situation that befalls me, and how I have been excusing my way out of taking actions. My life is not that horrible. Even when it becomes that horrible, which it inevitably will sometime, I just need to make lemonade. Because this life is not all.

And right now I need to stop being lazy, get off my sorry backside and brush my teeth.

"It’s easy to slip up- not in the “Why Me?” sense, but “Why Khalid?”and “Why Autism?” And I must remind myself that Khalid is my test, and autism is Khalid’s test. And it’s just a test. And after it’s all over, and the believers and the righteous are finally in Jannah, it will be asked of them whether they had ever suffered in this life. And they will swear that they never had, because the suffering we feel in this life is so minute, and so brief, compared to the reward and the contentment and peace and the perfection and resolution of Jannah. I desperately hope I’m included in that group, and I desperately hope that Khalid is as well."