Practice of pausing (cont.)
- Recognize the trigger.
- Press pause for at least 6 seconds.
- Take a deep breath.
- Consider your reaction in a situation from a place of Ihsan.
- Remember the tools Allah has provided you- self-awareness, power of choice, guidance and ability to consult with others.
- Develop a mantra or an affirmation.
- Press play again to continue in a better way.
Practices to develop self-control over time:
- Practice doing one thing at one time.
- Reduce inputs- news, social media, lectures.
- Spending time in silence as it allows our spirit to grow.
Three keys to living a life of Ihsan:
- Spend when you have plenty and spend in challenging times.
- Restrain your anger.
- Pardon and forgive.
Key 1: Spending in good and bad times:
- Do good to others as Allah has done good to you.
- It keeps the flow of blessings going.
- Remind yourself that Allah has provided you with these blessings.
- If you bring good, Allah will provide multifold blessings.
- Charity begins at home.
Research on the connection between money and happiness:
- Having more does not make you more generous.
- Paradox of generosity- when you give more you are happier.
- Give because of good intentions.
- Making a practice of giving makes you more open-hearted.
Effects of materialism:
- It is highly correlated with being dissatisfied with one’s life.
- Results in low self- esteem and less integration in the community.
- Find less meaning in life.
- Less concerned about the welfare of others.
- Less satisfied with family lives.
- Less fun and enjoyment in what they experience.
- More likely to be depressed and envious.
LINKS:
Ghurar al-Hikam: comprehensive collection of short quotations and aphorisms by Ali ibn Abi Talib.
SURAH ALI IMRAN [3:134]
SURAH AL-QASAS [28:76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84]
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