Happy 2019 🙂

First of all I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking out the time to be here and spending the start of 2019 with me.

I am humbled!

So here we go….

I for one have always been that person who, the moment December hits, starts to plan for the new year. And before you roll your eyes, Yes, I am also that person who makes yearly goals and does end up achieving some of them, though, there always will be external forces (read husband) who will try to take all the credit for the success.

That being said I don’t want to bore you with my highly clichéd yearly goals list (you can always email me and I will happily forward it to you), instead wanted to share some important things to rememeber this year for a fabulous 2019.

 

SHUKAR & YAQEEN (Gratitude & Faith):

 Unlike a lot of people the first thing I let go when things start to get shaky is my yaqeen (faith). Not super proud of it, but this is one area where I struggle the most. I know there are a lot of people like me, good people, who need constant reminders to hold on to their faith and give gratitude no matter what and I know it takes a lot of effort but hey lets remind ourselves that there are people out there who have mastered it too.

How you ask?

By making it a daily habit in the form of prayer/meditation.

I myself have found that I am more grounded the days my forehead touches the ground in sujood and my hands go up in dua. Praying gives sukoon to your body as well as your soul and gives you strength to face the everyday challenges. 

Count your blessings and no matter how hard life gets, remind yourself to be thankful because there is always someone out there who has it more harder than you.

 

KEEP THE JONESES AT BAY:

We live in the age of social media and it is not hard to fall in the trap of comparing your life with that of the others.

Gone are the days when, if someone bought something you would have to physically go and see it for yourself and congratulate them, while at other times feel like a loser for probably an hour or max a day before forgetting about it and going on with your own fab life. Things were uncomplicated.

Nowdays we get to live other people’s filtered lives without leaving the couch and often end up feeling sad and depressed for not having it all while totally forgetting that it was never what we wanted to begin with.

Let this year be a reminder to all of us to be genuinely happy for others on their success and be content on what we have. There is nothing wrong to strive for more, as long as it what you really want and it will contribute to more happiness to your life.

 

TIME:

I remember when I was young, every year when the exam/testing time came closer and me and my sisters would be huddled around the TV watching our favorite shows, Abu (dad) would say that these programs will repeat, but your time will not, so go study.

Unfortunately there was only live broadcast at that time and I remember how we would sulk and whine on missing an episode of “AirWolf” or “Kinght Rider”.

But today I am soo thankful to him as he was absolutely right. 

Time once gone, does not come back.

Today everyone seems to be in a rush. Everyone is working for a better future without enjoying the present. Yes, it is important to have future security, but ain’t it equally important to pause and enjoy what you have earned, today?

This year carve time for family and friends. Call your parents and family often. Connect with your loved ones. When kids come home, leave everything aside and listen to them. Make them feel important. Put an extra effort in your love life, show your partner you care. Make time for people who lift you up.  Remember the song will only last for so long.

 

REFLECT:

 

No matter how busy your life is, block sometime and reflect on your own personal journey. Spend some quite time with yourself. Listen to your inner thoughts. Mute the critic within you and pull the lover out.

If you are not happy with where you are in your life, sort out what’s missing, what needs to be done. A lot of times, we are looking in the wrong direction.

Get help and be confident. Love your body and your soul. You have worked soo hard to get to where you are today. Forgive and forget.

Your journey and the destination will be different from others around you so don’t compare. Enjoy your small triumphs no matter how mundane they might be for others.

Remember it’s your life and only you have the pen to write it.

 

STAY CLASSIC….FOCUS & PRIORITIZE:

There will always be something new and brighter. New fashions, new diets, new gadgets, new fads, new this…..new that. 

We live in a society where there is something new coming out everyday and we are bombarded with choices which consume soo much of our time and energy. It’s just like going to the store to get yogurt. We know exactly which one we need but stroll around to see all 20 or more types available and for what?

See them, taste them, but stay classic. As classic never goes old.

Right is often soo simple that it becomes Occum Razor and unfortunately in today’s world more is better. We want things fancy, we want things complicated.

Don’t fall for the trap of “if I only buy that thing then  life will be complete”.

Guess what?

There will always be a another thing waiting.

Don’t waste your valuable money on things you buy just because.

We all know what’s right and what needs to be done but sometimes we need a little nudge here and there for us to stay on track.

Try to uncomplicate things this year. Stick to the basics and stay classic.

 Don’t stretch yourself soo thin that you end up having no energy for things that that matter. Focus and prioritize and hold yourself accountable if you slip.

It is okay to say No. It is okay to sometimes stop and do nothing. It is okay to not be busy. You know why? Because the nos and the stopping will recharge you to do things which need your utmost attention. 

 

LET-GO:

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People are not evil.

People are not bad.

But sometimes they cannot relate with your situation or should I say that your life is no longer compatible to theirs.

It does not mean either of you is wrong.

It just means, it’s not a good fit.

Sometimes you have to let go of people because there is nothing in common anymore. Who knows , one day, you might bump into them, and pickup from where you left because things might make sense again.

Distance yourself from people who bring you down. Don’t worry if you feel you will be alone. Life works in weird ways and trust me the right kind of people or should I say the right type of person you need to get you through your phase will bump into you when you least expect it.

If you feel burdened instead of free and blooming in a relationship, do something about it before it consumes you.

You know how the saying goes “Don’t be too sweet that people swallow you but don’t be too bitter that they spit your out”. Find your happy medium.

Let go of things which bring no joy to your life….to your home.

Declutter you place if you haven’t already done so. Strange as it may sound, the clutter is totally relatable to the stress in your life.

Free your home….. free your mind and body.

While on a topic of declutter, take time to sweep clean your electronics too. Empty your computers and phones and other devices from those zillion blurred selfies, or unread documents or the songs you never heard.

Also turn off all the social media notifications. It is soo freeing. No more freaking out on those dings or tings or whatever.

 

WORD:

Lastly if you are not into the whole new year goals and resolutions type of thing and are the  kinda person who thinks of it as any other day , alteast have a focus word for yourself.

Something which you will be working towards this year. A word which will remind you to stay on track. A word which will set things in motion.

It can be as simple as “Sukoon” (peace) or as sweet as “Joy” or as focused as “Financial Freedom” or as deep as “Stress-Free”. 

Have a Happy New Year and hope too see you again.

Faika!