bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
alhamdulillah, all praises belong to Allah, Most Loving, Most Merciful. greetings upon Rasulullah SAW, the most perfect person sent as a mercy to the world.
it's funny, you know, sometimes how different you look at the world or life itself as you age. it could be the same, exact thing four years ago and you can have it again today, and most likely you would probably feel differently towards it.
sounding pretty cryptic here, but anyway I guess I just thought about what I would say to my younger self. I realised that growing up, I had this mindset about avoiding mistakes as much as possible. so much so, that it almost always took away the courage to try things that scared me or had the possibility of me failing.
because today, I would say that we shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes. that we shouldn't waste our times to seek perfection, because that's probably the furthest thing that we should be attaining in life well for one because it's unattainable, so we would find ourselves chasing for something that will never be in our reach. so apparently it's okay to make mistakes, and not to be afraid to make them because sometimes that's the best way to learn.
also, I guess we get scared to feel pain thinking that it would make us less somehow. but again, to deprive us of that wouldn't advance us as a person at all... I mean we shouldn't always not put ourselves out there, to protect us from pain... because if we always make decisions based on that then when else would we find the strength to recover? when else would we have the beauty to find a cure? when else would we know the difference between pain and joy or relief?
this isn't an expression of regret, i certainly hope not. of course there are always those thoughts about wishing to do things differently, etc... but surely things happen for a reason, and good ones. it's not about changing history, it's about learning from history and looking forward to a better future. it's so corny i know but just think for a moment, how true that can be. it's all about the resolve, you know, certainly we can't do things differently in the past... but we can do so now... and more so in the future.
so how ever old you are... go on and take a step outside of your comfort zone, do things for the right reasons, and while it's rational to always seek for things that you feel secure about, life has to be more than being good at what you do... because it also needs to be about doing something and probably falling flat on our faces, but then there would come that moment when we get to lift ourselves off and smile or even cry because at least we felt the ground. who wants to sit on a pedestal for the rest of their lives anyway.
I mean, don't get scared to get wet, because surely you know that you'd be dry again.
so dear, please... don't be so overprotective of yourself... so much so that it stops you from living. don't be scared about bruises and scars, just make sure they mean something.
most times, we would discover that the hardest barricade to overcome in life is our own selves. sure other people or things can try to block us from whatever, but only we get to decide our attitude to deal with them. i read this profound quote which says "your attitude determines your altitude". interesting, eh?
most importantly, sow the right intentions and ask Allah for guidance. because at the end of it, what else do we seek for if it's not to be closer to Him? in this world, we don't get to see Him, but there are so many clues or signs rather that He's given for us to find our way. so no, don't live for the sake of living... don't feel unafraid in vain... for sure fear is necessary, keep it in a good amount... and just remember to lean on Him. isn't that just the best way?
ahhh... and make doas... that we would be chosen to be of those who get to see Him in the Hereafter. certainly that must be the greatest reason to live.
