2015: A YEAR OF LOVE, LIGHT & HEALING

"Love & Light", Petone, Wellington 

“Both light and shadow are the dance of Love.

Love has no cause, it is the astrolabe of God's secrets.

Lover and loving are inseparable and timeless.

Although I may try to describe love, when I experience it, I am speechless.

Although I may try to write about love, I am rendered helpless.

My pen breaks, and the paper slips away at the ineffable place where lover loving and loved are one.

Every moment is made glorious by the light of Love.” ― Rumi

It feels like it wasn't too long when I wrote Dear 2014. It's almost unbelievable but here we are in the first month of 2015. SubhanaAllah walhamdulillah. 2014 was one of the most challenging years for myself and the people of my home country, Malaysia. But Allah (swt) told us to be patient in times of trial and tribulation and I'd like to think we are continuously doing our best to remain steadfast and calm through it all. Patience always pays off. Everything I did in the last 2 years, I did as part of my plan to return to New Zealand and increase my knowledge. I envisioned my dreams coming to life and with much determination and perseverance He fulfilled my prayers, alhamdulillah! 2014 was not easy but it was amazing in many ways, nonetheless. Having said that, I believe 2015 will be a year of healing for me. It's time to heal from the things that have weighed heavy on my heart during my years in Malaysia. But I trust they were all part of my journey to become a better and wiser person. To reiterate what Rumi said, "Both light and shadow are the dance of Love."

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (2:153)

I have no doubt that every single person who is going through a hardship, in some form or manner, will achieve ease, success and felicity eventually, especially if they do following: purify their intentions, envision a good outcome, embrace and enjoy the blessings they currently have and do everything it takes to achieve what they want.

I speak from experience: Be patient. It's very possible that you have no idea about all the good things He has in store for you because everything in this world and the hereafter belongs to Him and He knows you better than you know yourself.

"Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be shortsighted as to not be able to see the outcome. The lovers of God never run out of patience, for they know that time is needed for the crescent moon to become full." Forty Rules of Love: A Novel of Rumi, Elif Shafak, page 74

I'm excited about 2015 and what it will bring! Whatever it is, I know it will be Allah's way of manifesting His attributes to me. We go through life chasing our dreams but we forget the basis of our existence is to know and worship Him. The more we view our experiences as God's way of inviting us to know Him and enter Paradise the easier it is live a life of love and positivity. Speaking of experiences, I'd like to share 15 lessons I took away from last year in hopes that it will inspire you to make 2015 a year of love, light and healing.

1. With each and every year I learn there is a lot more to life and this world that I don't know. We would be doing ourselves a huge favour if we allow ourselves to be humble and learn from others, without undermining our strengths and potential, of course. 
2. We must not let fear take over. Believe in yourself. Believe in a Power that is greater than yours.
3. If you have at least one person to love and one person who loves you, you are truly rich.
4. Be adventurous and be open to changes, unexpected as they may be. Sometimes you have to dive into the unknown to discover treasures within yourself and the world you live in. 
5. There is always a lot more to a person than how they appear. 
6. Embrace past hurt, disappointments and failures. Don't be afraid of them. Don't deny them. But understand that everyone goes through them in some shape or form, even the strongest, smartest and best of people. Learn from them and do what you can to improve your life and yourself by all means but don't victimise yourself by adopting the victim mentality. In fact, the strongest, smartest and best of people only got to where they are because they learned from their mistakes and missteps, not because they continuously blame the world.
7. Be grateful and express gratitude in ways that enrich your life and the life of others. Believe that things are good right now even though they can potentially be better.
8. Trust your intuition.
9. If you seek perfection you will never be happy. Seek contentment and the feeling of redha instead. 
10. This life that was given to you is a gift He has entrusted you with. This is your journey and no one understands your journey better than the One who created you. Find comfort and motivation in that.
11. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. It's one of the ways you can obtain it, God willing.
12. If others cannot see the light and love within you it's because they're probably not meant to. Not everything is for everyone. Not everything is for you. Not everyone is for you.
13. Notice how much you glow from within when you share your love, gifts, blessings and passion with others.
14. Don't be afraid to outshine others when you need to and don't be afraid to take a step back and be in the shadows when you need to. 
15. Stay connected to nature. Swim in the sea. Listen intently to the birds as they chirp and sing melodiously. Eat vegetables and fruits from your own backyard. You will feel more balanced and tranquil when you consciously try to stay to the natural environment.