This is a post by: “Sue Divine” Submited via yahoo groups (Masaledaar).

It is our natural inclination to judge people, since it happens without us even thinking about it. We take one look and summarize a whole person – overweight, pretty, stylish, sloppy. This habit comes from the mind’s need to categorize the world in order to be able to function without becoming overwhelmed.

When we judge, we are looking for pertinent information, trying to determine whether the person approaching is a threat, an ally, or someone we don’t need to worry about. This way of looking at people makes sense in a dangerous context, but in our daily lives it leads to an overly simplistic reading of the people we meet.

If you have ever judged someone dismissively, only to have them become a dear friend once you got to know them, you know the hazards of the judgment cycle firsthand. An experience like that may have led you to soften your natural tendency to believe your first impressions. We will always notice things about the people we meet, but as we become more conscious of the shortcomings of judgment, we won’t be satisfied with our surface observations.

We may notice that someone is driving an expensive car, but we will decide whether to befriend her based on getting to know her over time. We will not rule out a friendship with someone with messy hair, especially if he turns out to have a great sense of humor and a kind heart. Liking or disliking a person is a choice you will naturally make, but it will be after you have gotten to know them.

Next time you notice yourself judging somebody, try to send love, light, or blessings to the person you were judging. Then try to listen to them openly or look them in the eye and learn something about them. If this is not easy for you, remember not to judge yourself either. Trust that with practice, you will successfully disable your habitual patterns.

As you do, you will find a whole new dimension of perception opening up to you, allowing you to see beyond the surface and into the essence of the people you meet.

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If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won’t survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment,the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back,a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head witha smile on your faceand are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all. You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.

If you are feeling blessed, repay the blessings bestowed unto you and do something for others.

A blessing cannot be kept. If it stops with you, then the blessing will disappear. The blessing will only keep working if it is continuously passed around. If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessing working by being the source of blessing to other people. Share the blessing with your close ones, your family and friends (Yehi Dosti, Isika naam zindagi hai)

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Kitne haseen din the woh! Jab hum bhi jawaan huwe karte the – Like wild horses we roamed about amongst our families with no care in the world. Our elders around us, looking after us, protecting us, naturing us, feeding us and teaching us all there is to learn about the world.

Then came the time when we grew up and became adults, Thus started the second leg our journey through life. The life that is forever beautified by those dear and close to us, that someone special who joins and becomes a part of our overall family. Ah the joyous moments spent by the seashore, bare feet as we walked on the beach, a light breeze upon us and the soft slapping of the waves. Together you wonder about watching the sunset, embraced with a sweet moment and a memory to cherish, now and forever.

Such are the wonders of life, family and close friends. The journey is not complete without them – for it is their care, understanding, compassion and love that make us feel on top of the world. Like clouds we soar above all the life’s difficulties, high above the mountains with peace and contentment.

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Salaam and Ramadhan mubbarak to all Muslims around the world

Another year has gone by and another ramadhan is upon us. So let us take time to reflect on what has gone by and look forward to the coming bounties. Let us also take time out to reflect on why we fast and ask Allah to grant us the will power to fulfil our duties.

As Muslims we all know why we fast but at the same time we take for granted and overlook the main reason and therefore loose out. Ramadhan is a blessed month full of bounties and a lot to be gained for the akhira. But these bounties will only be gained if we a true and sincere to the true islam and the maksad.

Ramadhan was ordained upon us so that we may feel and understand the suffering, the pain and the misery our fellow brothers and sisters who go without food. Not through choice but through natural disasters and lack of basic needs within their given locality.

To this end we give alms in order that they too may have a little of what we have and take for granted on a day to day basis. But lets not be picky and think of humhara desh, humhara kaum, humhare log only. The alms should be given with the intention of pleasing Allah and should be directed to his makhlook – the humankind.

Lets put aside our creed, colour and madhhab affiliation and let us also put religion aside and give to all those in need. be they Muslims or non Muslims, be their from our own countries or foreign, lets put our prejudices aside and serve the humanity brotherhood. That is true Islam – “Peace”.

I know many of the Muslim community will look at this and think or say “what on earth?” and that is an opinion you as an individual have a right to. But be true to yourself, reflect for a moment and ask yourself this – when we are commanded to give alms to the poor and the needy, where does it say it can only be “for Muslims”?

Allah forgive in my errors and guide me, the Muslims and the entire mankind to the right path and righteousness – Ameen!

Glossary

Maksad – Purpose.

Makhlook – Creation.

Madhhab – School of thought.

Mubbarak – Congratulations.

After thoughts? If you have anything to say, add or correct me on please leave a comment. (No religion bashing is allowed – be it Islam or otherwise).

Objective comments will be allowed.

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Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life it was on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze.

How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she’d have friends over soon. There’d be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy It’s just the way she wanted her life to be.

On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, “I want to be popular and I’m going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!”

To be known in this school you had to have a clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out.
There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date.

“Well, I just won’t tell them the entire truth. They won’t know the difference; what’s there to lose?”
Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, “All right.”

Excited, she got ready for the big event. But as she rushed around like she had no sense, she began to feel guilty about all the lies, but what’s a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride?

Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Jeff was half drunk by this time. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble and heard, “call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble”! Voices she heard…a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck.

Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right, And if the people in the other car was alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. “You’ve been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad.”

These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that Jeff was dead. They said “Jenny, we’ve done all we can do. But it looks as if we’ll lose you too.”

“But the people in the other car!? “Jenny cried. “We re sorry, Jenny, they also died.” Jenny prayed, “God, forgive me for what I’ve done I only wanted to have just one night of fun.”

“Tell those people’s family, I’ve made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them.”
“Tell Mom and Dad I’m sorry I lied, And that it’s my fault so many have died.

Oh, nurse, won’t you please tell them that for me?” The nurse just stood there-she never agreed.
But took Jenny’s hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later Jenny died.

A man asked the nurse, “Why didn’t you do your best?” To bid that girl her one last request?”
She looked at the man with eyes so sad. “Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad.”

This story is sad and unpleasant but true. So young people take heed, it could have been you!

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