Why Would You Be “Realistic?”
This 10 minute clip summarizes so much wisdom. How does it make you feel when you see it? Are you inspired? Pumped up? Or does it take you another path of emotions? Skeptical? Anxious that your life is passing you by without this type of fire and control over your life? Guilt? What story do you tell yourself about why you can’t have what you want?
Ramadan: Pathway to Peak State
As a student of personal development, you’ve probably heard Tony Robbins or others talk about the importance of “Peak State.” How we act is a direct result of how we feel. So understanding our emotions and learning how to manipulate our state becomes a critical piece of getting what we want out of life.
You’re not going to have the resourcefulness you need to approach a challenge if you’re gripped with doubt and fear or lacking energy. The good news is your state is pretty easy to get a hold of. You can change your posture, facial expression, the volume/cadence of your speech, and your movement very quickly.
Most of us get the fact that when we’re down we slump, slouch, and pout. We understand the cause and effect relationship the inner state has on the outer state. But what we miss is that it works in reverse just as well. Manipulate your outward posture, expression, manner of speech, and movement and watch your internal state change. It’s incredible.
Physical movement is a sure fire way to snap into a strong state. Do something powerful. A punch. Some push ups. A run. Or anything that gets your blood flowing, Yoga if you want. Strong graceful movements and full breaths can be just as effective. Do something with purpose.
I look at one of the miracles of Ramadan being how it manages peak state for the one who observes it. But it does so through another medium beyond physical motion, references. Accomplishment and progress fuel peak state by giving you current references of success. This affirms who we believe we are and we grow addicted to that feedback loop, also known as momentum. This is what fasting offers: a real-time, constant success reference.
That feeling of hunger is a living reminder of human potential because you’re purposely deferring your most base instincts for a more enduring benefit. It’s hard to lack confidence in Ramadan. Everything is possible and every minute you fast is a constant reminder and reinforcement of that. That feeling of hunger is an honest witness upon you that you can achieve more. Fasting is something great that you do for the sake of Allah. Many “successful” people could never see themselves fasting.
So why can you attain this but not the other things you want in life? What is the difference?
You might say it is the mechanics, the knowledge of what to do. You know how to fast so you can do it. But I say it is your purpose and your references. Your purpose can’t get any higher. It is a MUST for the sake of Allah and references are all around you, from the young to the old, everyone is fasting. If you remember your first days fasting I bet you had some rough days and you asked advice to overcome them. Now you have your routine for successful fasting after taking advice and tweaking it to suit your own tastes.
The mechanics were a trivial part of your success. You were going to find a way and you did.
If it is true that it is your purpose and your references that made you into a Ramadan hero, why don’t you deconstruct the formula and apply it elsewhere? In this case your purpose was given to you from it being a fard. But if there is something you really really want in life, couldn’t you find a way to trick your brain into believing it was every bit as essential?
In fact, it is not really trickery. Your ambitions are important to you for a reason. You’ve just not allowed yourself to explore the do or die importance of what you need to do. Go ahead and do that. Pretend you’re a lawyer making the most convincing case possible, using the facts you have, that what you need to accomplish is an absolute MUST or the consequences could be as dire as not fasting.
It can be the case that by not pursuing and committing to one of your dreams that a possible scenario results where it becomes a fitna for your deen, for your well being, and for your families’ well being in this life and the next. If you can make that case to yourself, outlining just how urgent and dire this dream is, you’ll attain it. Couple that with the power of dua in Ramadan and the ability to catch Laylatul Qadr. Come on? You got this one.
If you can triumph in Ramadan, the world is your oyster. But you’re realizing your worldly ambitions aren’t so glamorous as they were before this holy month started aren’t you :)? Take time in Ramadan to reestablish the link between your worldly goals and akhirah goals so that you’re path is aligned without conflict and you can start moving full speed ahead.
CHALLENGE: : What is the connection between the photo in the home page featured slider and the article? Post your thoughts in the comments.
Ramadan Mubarak
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By AbooZaid –> Checkout my YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaAbooZaid
Is Your Ambition Blind?
In your quest to be your absolute best, your constant dedication to evolve yourself, do you smell the roses? The story of Josh Waitzkin is a wonderful illustration of someone who was very clear about his values as a young boy, despite outside figures trying to impose their world on him, attempting to live their own dreams through him. But Josh taught us how to pursue excellence while staying conscious of the importance of valuing other human beings along the way. If you and I are honest, we’ve treated human beings as means to an end at some point in our life. At some point, and maybe you are doing this right now, you have looked at a relationship with a co-worker, a customer, or someone with a big position as a means to an end.
In the process you totally betrayed the noble essence of man and the endless beauty of his soul that Allah SWT endowed each of us with. Never should we make the mistake of stepping on others or over looking others for a material end. We see in the example of the Prophet SAAS that even with his staunchest enemies, his concern was their eternal well-being over the expedience of simply defeating them and moving forward. Many times, the most famous being the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet SAAS had an easy opportunity and just cause to dispose of those who betrayed him and sought to end his life. However, he did not look at humans as a means. He cared about their well being especially in the hereafter above all else.
Josh Waitzkin actually offers a lot in the field of personal development. He is a critic of the modern system of learning and has dedicated his adult life to understanding what the ideal learning conditions are. However, as a boy, he taught us that winning in life should not be at the expense of others unless they insist. Pull people along with you. See how they can win before you worry about your own victory. Watch this video and post your gems:
For those interested in his work toward the art of learning and what are the optimal ingredients, you’ll enjoy this:
