Life is Made of Little Moments

found here

Life is more about the little moments than the big events. We focus so much on the big events though - I know I do. I spent so much time essentially waiting for my life to start; thinking that when I graduated, when I launched my designs, when I was settled down in a 'proper' house then that would be it. When those things happened then my life would really start, I would really be on my way.

I'm starting to shift my priorities now. I'm still excited about graduating, working on a collection, and trying to figure out where in the world we will be next year, but whenever I reminisce about the past it's always the little things that I remember that make me smile:

like my Dad driving around the block once more on our way home sometimes, so he could finish listening to Bright Lights by Matchbox 20;

my Mum humming while she did things - a little habit that I picked up purposely, in order to always keep her close to me;

and my sister and I pulling as many silly faces and taking as many photos as we could (whilst wearing our PJs and a pink fluffy tiara!).

The big events are exciting, but it's the little moments that make a life. I love sitting on the floor in the mornings in my dressing gown and drinking tea. I love that quite often when we are in the kitchen together, my husband and I will bust out some sweet dance moves for absolutely no reason. 

Don't get caught up waiting for the 'Next Big Thing' in your life. Live your life on purpose and appreciate each little moment - because each moment is meaningful.

Life is too important to be always concerned about tomorrow. This very day, this very moment is a beautiful thing.

"The Paradox of Our Age"

I came across this article (written by Dr. Bob Moorehead) and found it inspiring. It made me think a lot. I thought I'd share it here.

found here

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

found here

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Nazeem Hussain - A Muslim Comedian

You always seem to find the best youtube videos right in the middle of assessment and exam time. I found this one a few days before my major assessment, and I've watched it about 20 times since then. No, it's not getting the least bit old!


Nazeem Hussain is an Australian Muslim comedian and honestly, I crack up every single time I watch this!

Soul Sparkle: Alhamdulilah

from Christian Dorian

Alhamdulilah. We all know what it means, right? All thanks and praises to God. 

I was listening to a lecture not too long ago and the speaker said a Muslim should  be optimistic. We shouldn't be pessimistic, worrying about this and that, complaining about how things aren't working out. That's why it's the Sunnah to reply with Alhamdulilah, when someone asks us how we are.

It reminds me of this hadith:

The affair of the believer is amazing! The whole of his life is beneficial, and that is only in the case of the believer. When good comes to him, he is thankful and it is good for him, and when bad times befall him, he is patient and it is also good for him" (narrated by Muslim)

Have you ever tried saying Alhamdulilah and thanking God, when something doesn't go your way? I've been trying it these past few weeks, and it's made me realise that whenever something didn't go the way I wanted it to, something better always followed. 

Here's how the past few weeks have gone for me:

My flight back to Wellington was cancelled due to the ash cloud... Alhamdulilah

I ended up getting put on another flight that got me home an hour earlier... Alhamdulilah!

I left my laptop on the bus... Alhamdulilah

I have wonderful friends that retrieved my laptop and mailed it to me! And in the mean time I spent a wonderful week away from my computer... Alhamdulilah!

The same day I got my laptop back, my charger died (a new one costs $130)... Alhamdulilah

My wonderful husband helped me pay for a new one... Alhamdulilah!

My dinner guests didn't turn up when they were supposed to... Alhamdulilah

Which turned out to be a good thing, since dinner was terrible that night! And it gave me free time to speak to my family on the phone for over an hour... Alhamdulilah!

Sometimes things not working out, is really the best thing that could happen.

"...And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. God knows but you do not." (Quran, 2:216)

The Muslim Moments

I came across this tumblr a little while ago called The Muslim Moments. It's filled with these sweet moments that, if you're a Muslim, you've probably come across plenty!

Read through these few, and have a look at the tumblr as well. Say Alhamdulilah for each one that makes you smile, and makes you happy to be Muslim.

Alhamdulilah :)

A Life Uncommon

found here

And lend your voices only to sounds of freedom

No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from

Fill your lives with love and bravery and you shall lead

A life uncommon

Just a few lyrics that always inspire me.

From Life Uncommon by Jewel