Love What Matters

A man was jogging in morning and he noticed a person about 1/3 a mile ahead. he could tell him that he was running a little slower than him and he thought, good, he will try to catch him. He had about a half mile before he needed to turn off. So he started running faster and faster.

Every block, he was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes he was only about 300 feet behind him, so he really picked up the pace and pushed himself. You would have thought that he was running in the last leg of an Olympic competition. he was determined to catch him.

Finally, he did it! he caught and passed him. On the inside, he felt so good. "he beat him" Of course, he didn't even know that they were racing. After he passed him, he realized that he had been so focused on competing against him that he had missed his turn. He had gone nearly six blocks past his turn and he had to turn and go back.

Isn't that what happens in life when we focus on competing with co-workers, neighbours, friends, family, trying to outdo them or trying to prove that we are more successful or more important?

We spend our time and energy running after them and we miss out on our own paths to our given destinies. The problem with unhealthy competition is that it's a never ending cycle.

There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with a better job, better car, more money in the bank, more education, a prettier wife, a more handsome husband, better behaved children, etc. But realize that 'You can be the best that you can be, when you are not competing with anyone.'

Some people are insecure because they pay too much attention to what others are, where others are going, wearing and driving. Take whatever you have, the height, weight and personality. Dress well and wear it proudly, you'll be blessed by it. Stay focused and live a healthy life. There is no competition in Destiny.

Run your own race and wish others well.

5 reasons why you need to laugh more at work

The corporate turf is said to be most stressful, what with deadlines, work hassles, thinking ahead of time and more. And so, it's crucial to keep your wits about you as you go through the daily grind. Laughter is one of the best therapies to help you achieve that. Here's why...

It makes you more productive:

Days devoid of merriment can be dull, more so at the office. Laughter releases happy endorphins and takes away the dreary feeling of spending hours there, making one work faster and better.

Lessens the workload:

Much-needed laughter intersperses the day with amusement and fun. It helps lighten the load as you go about tasks happily.

Buils better relationship:

The team that laughs together, works together, so have fun. Having a light demeanour makes others more approachable to you, so do away with straight faces, even under work pressure. Laughing boosts creativity and also draws out introverts.

Helps you recharge the batteries:

Sometimes a dose of laughter is the pick-me-up that you need. So apart from eating right and that desktop yoga, go out of your way to chat with your colleagues and giggle about small things.

One of the best de-stressor:

Laughter is known to induce a positive state of being and increase tolerance levels to pain and anger. It also makes stress fade away. And remember to laugh at yourself, while you're at at it as humour directed at yourself can instantly break the ice and make people like you.

Diversity in the Workplace

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more.

Diversity not only involves how people perceive themselves, but how they perceive others. Those perceptions affect their interactions. For a wide assortment of employees to function effectively as an organization, human resource professionals need to deal effectively with issues such as communication, adaptability and change. Diversity will increase significantly in the coming years. Successful organizations recognize the need for immediate action and are ready and willing to spend resources on managing diversity in the workplace now.

What is required for one as a Muslim, after Ramadan? How one can keep the spirit of Ramadan?

     After the month of fasting is over, a Muslim is required to keep the spirit of Ramadan as much as he or she can. Moreover, if he or she has missed fasting for some days in Ramadan for a valid justification, he or she should hasten to make up for them.

I do advise my dear brothers and sisters to consider the following after Ramadan:

1. Make Up for Missed Fast Days. A Muslim should hasten to make up for the missed fast days of Ramadan if he or she has missed fast day(s) of Ramadan for a valid reason such as illness, travel, or menses in the case of women.

2. Fast Six Days in Shawwal. It is highly recommended by the Sunnah for a Muslim to fast six days in the month of Shawwal. Fasting for six days in Shawwal entails great reward and blessings from Allah Almighty. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, and then follows it up by (fasting) six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted the whole year.” (Muslim)

Here, it is important to point out that it is not necessary for a Muslim to fast the six days of Shawwal consecutively. So long as one has fasted six days, either consecutively or separately, he or she will fulfill the requirement and will receive the same rewards, in shaa’ Allah.

3. Keep the Spirit of Ramadan. A Muslim should spare no efforts to keep the spirit of Ramadan throughout the other months of the year by means of:

a) Seeking Allah's support, beseeching Him Almighty to guide him to the right path and help him remain steadfast in faith.

b) Observing optional fasting after Ramadan, as Muslims are encouraged by the Sunnah to observe optional fasting after Ramadan. The days in which optional fasting is recommended are:

i. Fasting six days during the month of Shawwal.

ii. Fasting the day of `Arafah, 9th of Zil Hajj, provided that the person is not offering Hajj.

iii. Fasting the 10th of Muharram, and if possible the 9th and the 11th days of the same month.

iv. Fasting as many days as possible during the month of Sha`ban

v. Fasting during the months of Rajab, Zil Qadh, Zil Hajj, and Muharram.

vi. Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

vii. Fasting the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month.

c) Keeping on offering optional night Prayer.

d) Keeping on reciting, listening to and reflecting on the Qur’an.

e) Keeping on taking care of the poor and the needy.

f) Keeping on offering supererogatory acts of worship.

g) Avoiding the prohibitions and illegal practices.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Eid Mubarak

The Significance Ramadan & Fasting

Allah says in the Quran:
'O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain God-consciousness. (2:183)

"In the month of Ramadan, the Quran, a book of guidance with proofs of guidance distinguishing right from wrong, was revealed. Therefore, whoever of you is present in that month let him fast. But who is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. Allah desires your well-being, not your discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole month so that you may magnify Him and render thanks to Him for giving you His guidance." 2:185

Accordingly, the month of Ramadan is called the month of the Quran; therefore, Muslims have tradition of reciting Quran frequently in this month.

Ramadan Mubarak...!