A crazy world we can change

Sometimes I feel that we’re living in a crazy world and that I want to run away screaming into the wild!

Yesterday, I was heartbroken listening to the latest news about Syria. What started out as a noble cause: people united to overthrow a dictator, seems to be turning now into sectarian violence… It really got me thinking….
Has it evolved this way because of the antagonism between violence and a just cause? Let me explain, I believe that the heralds of a just cause should never embrace a violent solution (ex: a putsh) for there is always a risk that violent factions motivated by hate and resentment and not by the establishment of social justice take the upper hand and hijack the protest movement.

Anyways...to be honest it wasn’t just Syria… I’ve been angry about a few things these past two weeks…

ANGRY to see that frustration in our countries is fuelled by the media who never seem to speak about the various initiatives promoting unity and understanding.

ANGRY to see people actively busy with fitna at the work place (spreading rumors and plotting to get someone else’s position), while some people are working for a bigger fitna.

ANGRY to see people leading ostentatiously luxurious lives (even when the money is earned honestly), when so many of our brothers and sisters are poor.

ANGRY that people do not realize that we need to change in order to go back to what we were.

SO HERE IS MY MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE:

"Lovers of peace and unity speak up don’t let your voices be covered!Extremist voices are so loud, the peace train can no longer be heard, go out there, leave the tranquility of your lives & speak up. Spread the love but don’t forget, that true change can only start within yourself and your own household. -(thank you Muna for this precious lesson)-

Someone once told me how can one expect one’s kids to ever do Kiyam Alayl in the future(night prayers) when one sleeps all night without stirring? You need to strive to do Kiyam El Layl if you ever want to give your children the chance to do it one day just like you need to lead a life open to the others if you want your children or loved ones to be that way.
Lead by example; don’t lure yourself into thinking that your words might have even the slightest impact on anyone, unless you’ve started working on your own precious self."

I know it seems like an overly ambitious plan,” What? Changing oneself with prayer, Dhikr & a whole new set of attitudes, while in parallel trying to change the world around you? Are you mad woman?”  But as my dad says: “Who doesn’t like climbing mountains, lives forever in the pit”  (from the great Abu al Qassem Al Chabi, Allah yarhamu.)

The good news is that if you get involved, your anger will melt down because you’ll see so many like minded people out there working. There truly is “Baraka fil Jamaa3” (blessing in being a group). Of course, there will always be that one sister telling you to cover your hair because a microscopic part of it is showing… but isn’t the road to the truth paved with thorns? ;-)
In most countries there are civil society organizations that do great work on the field, try to find one that support the change you want to see and where you can share you skills. Having had a brief experience teaching, I realize that most youth need not only to acquire a new set of skills (accounting, history) they also need life coaching. You need to help them acquire the personal qualities to achieve their goals.

A few years ago when I young(er) and gullible ;-) I had the chance to attend a free session with a French work coach.

He told me something very important about myself: “YOU ARE HESITANT”.

I took what this man told me (may Allah reward him) and I starting working on being less hsitant by setting myself goals and sticking to them.

However, I believe that only coaching or healing supported by a spiritual view or vision of the world can have a lasting and profound impact for people need to be reminded of Akhira (after life) and the wonderful teachings derived from the lives of our beloved prophets.

(to be continued)