Towards An Illuminated Heart

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” ― Oscar Wilde

When you're going through a rough patch it's easy to only focus on all the things that are going wrong instead of all the things that are going right. Sometimes all it takes is a surprise from a friend (like the flowers I received last week), a line in the book you're reading or knowing the smile on your mother's face is because of you to make you realise how blessed you are regardless. Perception is everything and the heart that is filled with Love will always find Light and allow it to shine through and provide clarity. Work on purifying and illuminating the heart. Or even better, realise that the work has already begun through these blessings and trials. Now your task is to respond with Love.

A heart filled with Love is like a phoenix that no cage can imprison. ― Rumi

Love God. Love knowledge and truth. Love ehsan (excellence). Love humility. Love His creations. Desire contentment. Stop wasting time. Fulfill your responsibilities. Spread salaam (peace). Walk away from fights and unnecessary battles.

People are walking contradictions. Forgive them. Forgive yourself. This world is a place of trials. Look out for each other. Leave the judgement to Him. Only then shall you find the echoes of love around you and be free from the anxieties caused by dunya.

A reminder to myself, first and foremost:

In generosity and helping others, be like a river
In compassion and grace, be like the sun
In concealing others' faults, be like the night
In anger and fury, be as if you have died
In modesty and humility, be like the soil
In tolerance and acceptance, be like the sea
In presenting yourself to others, either appear as you are or be as you appear.
―  Rumi