Dear friend.

Bloggy readers, AsSalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you)!!

I've into "balancing" my life lately, and a positive state of mind is something I've been exploring. One thing about me is that I love the minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism to me is elegance, beauty, and productive in a practical way. For example, when you search for something to wear, you do not swim through copious amounts of clothing to find your favorite pair of pants. Instead, minimalism is opening your closet doors to find your favorite pants waiting right in front of you.

If the thought of not having that feather boa that you "might need one day" is too painstaking, you may need to consider this concept: You and I are alive, breathing, beating, and sensing RIGHT NOW. My fingertips are pitterpattering away on the keyboard, the light at my desk is giving me a nice calm feeling, and I am happy to have a full stomach. Alhamdullilah (Glory be to god)......

On a side note, did you guys know that everytime you say Subhan'Allah, there is a tree planted for you in JANNAH?.....A friend asked me today: "who lives with you in Jannah?". Here is a piece on life in heaven (Jannah):

One view is to treat the description of Heaven as the symbolism for the indescribable bliss of the hereafter, but the religious experience confirms the literal sense, refined of course. Here is a synopsis of salvation. Says the Qur'an: "Theirs are the gardens...eternal home: God well pleased with them, and they with God; that is the great salvation (the fulfillment of all desires)." 122:5 "They and their associates (wives and family) will be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on thrones (of dignity). (Various) fruits (refreshments) will be there for them. They shall have wahtever they call for (endowed with Amr') PEACE--a word (of blessing) from the Lord, most merciful" vide 55 to 58:36. "Those who believe (in God and his apostle Muhammad and in subsequent truths) and will stick to rightgeousness, their Lord will guide them because of their faith, (to regions) beneath which will flow rivers in gardens of paradise. (This be) their glee therein: "Glory to thee, O God!" and 'Peace' will be their greetings (to companions) therein, and close of their glee will be, "Peace be to God, the cherisher and sustainer of all the worlds." 9, 10:10, 31:16, 25, 33 to 35:50, 122:5, 55 to 58:36, 10:10.



What I wanted to relate was that minimalism is pure, subhan'Allah :P. Is the religion of islam not pure? Was the Prophet (SAW) found laying in a room that contained only a vase of water and a mat? SUBHAN'ALLAH...Is that pure simple and noble life not one of minimalism? To me, believing in one God, Allah (most high) is simple, pure, peaceful, and all I want and need in my life. So how we exist today IS our existence. What are lives are filled with right this second defines us. It makes us or breaks us. As time goes on and we find ourselves waking each morning to lives that drown us, a simple reminder would be to train your mind to act as a filter...

Sieve out the negativity in your life. You don't need it. Negativity needs YOU to thrive and grow larger, louder, and more bombarding in your life.

Here is a beautiful story about purity:

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?".

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try in.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an . You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out when you read time by time . That is the work of Allah in our lives...."

We see that simplicity comes hand in hand with purity: It requires us to let go of things we attach ourselves to negatively in constant practice.

Sit, let your mind wander, then use redirection to discipline your thoughts. For example me looking in the mirror....

Something looks different about my reflection....Have I gained some weight? How did this happen?....I am not attractive because I am fat...I am never going to find someone that loves my body..

Now redirected:

Something looks different...Have I gained some weight?....(STOP). Chinesemuslimah, you have been thoughtful about what you put into your body, and you have been giving your best effort at staying physical. I see, that you are beginning to think anxiously. The results you desire will come with time, consistency, and hard work...

It is not just about training your thoughts, although that is where much behavior can be changed. Your physical environment and relationships can take a huge toll on your state of mind and beliefs about yourself..that is one reason good company is stressed by our beloved Prophet Mohammad SAW.




Narrated by Abu Musa ‘The Prophet said ‘The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him’. (Bukhari)

Subhan'Allah! our religion is useful in all matters,

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

On a closing note: "Islam is meant to benefit us and prevent harm." Imam Suhaib Webb

I love you all for the sake of Allah SWT,

Sincerely,

Chinesemuslimah