15 Gifts You Can Give Yourself for Free

The best things in life aren’t things.  So next time you want to give yourself a gift, save your money, and consider gifting yourself one of the following instead:

1. The freedom to be unapologetically YOU. – Wearing a mask wears you out.  Faking it is fatiguing.  The most arduous activity is pretending to be what you know you aren’t.  Trying to fit some idealistic mold of perfection is a fool’s game.  It’s much wiser to just be yourself – faults and all.  Take off your mask and start being unapologetic about who you really are.  Remember, imperfection is beauty; madness is genius.  It is better to be ridiculously you, than ridiculously boring by trying to be the same as everyone else.  Read The Mastery of Love.
   
2. An uninhibited imagination. – If we’ve learned anything as a society over the past few decades, it’s that life is changing faster and faster with every passing day.  The world tomorrow looks nothing like the world today.  And the people with big imaginations are the ones not just living it, they are creating it.
   
3. An open mind. – Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t; everyone can teach you something new.  The purpose of keeping an open mind isn’t just to change your mind, it’s to expand your mind to understand the true potential in each moment of your life – to discover a self who has the ability to see more possibilities and expanded points of view (even the ones opposing yours) and then to choose creatively, intuitively, and sacredly going forward.
   
4. The commitment to fail forward. – Failing is as certain as sunsets and detours.  So why exert energy avoiding the unavoidable?  Embrace it.  Shift your energy from protecting yourself from failure to squeezing the life out of life.  Get real comfortable with that uneasy feeling of going against the grain and trying something new.  Doing so will always take you to places you never thought you could go.
   
5. Using encouraging words. – Words are powerful.  They can create or they can destroy.  The simple words you choose, especially when you speak to yourself or about yourself, can offer encouragement and positive thoughts going forward, or they can send you further into despair.  So choose your words wisely.
   
6. A ‘glass’ filled with the right things. – It’s not just whether your glass is half-empty or half-full that matters.  You also have to be mindful of what you’re filling your glass with.  Be sure to fill it with those things that satisfy your soul: good friends and family to love, passions to pursue, dreams to fulfill, and charity for others.  Because the only situation more tragic than seeing your glass as half-empty, is filling your glass until it is overflowing, and then realizing that there’s nothing in it to satisfy your thirst for a meaningful life.
   
7. Enjoying what you have. – The thing you need to do is enjoy the ride while you’re on it.  Think positive, be positive, and positive things will happen.  Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.  Enjoy your blessings right now.  Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.  Celebrate this.  Work on being so appreciative and happy that when others look at you, they become a little happier too.
   
8. Lifelong learning. – You are simply the product of what you know, so develop a passion for acquiring knowledge.  A passion for learning is different from just studying to earn a grade or please teachers.  It begins in the heart and home.  Read for pleasure, ask questions, analyze, and exploit your curiosities.  In other words, learn to actually love the act of learning.  Read The Last Lecture.
   
9. Hope. – Remember, it’s always darkest just before the dawn.  Never underestimate the strength of your will to live after a loss, to love after heartache, or to rise after a fall.  For although your troubles may be too dense and dark right now for you to see the light, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a strong spirit within them, or a beautiful sunrise just beyond the horizon.
   
10. Spirituality. – Faith elevates your view of the universe, your world, and your life.  You would be wise to instill into your mind that you are more than just flesh and blood taking up space.  You are also made of heart, soul, and will.  And decisions in your life should be based on more than just what everyone else with flesh and blood is doing on the outside.
    
11. Stability and love at home. – A stable home becomes the foundation on which you build the rest of your success.  Subconsciously we all need to know we have a family core who we can trust, and who is going to be there for us through thick and thin.  Faithfulness to your partner is a big part of this.  Faithfulness in any intimate relationship includes more than just your body; it also includes your eyes, mind, heart, and soul.  Guard your sexuality daily and devote it entirely to the one you love.
    
12. A positive temper. – Anger can be useful in calling your attention to issues that require your response; but anger itself is not an effective response.  Take a slow, deep breath, and remind yourself of how much more effective you can be by maintaining a positive, results-oriented approach to the issue at hand.  Don’t let the silly, thoughtless, destructive actions of others trap you in an unproductive state of anger.  Take note of your anger, let it go, redirect your focus on being your best self, and you’ll surely emerge with a smile.  Read Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
    
13. A sense of humor. – He or she who laughs, lasts.  A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles – something life is filled with.  So laugh as often as you can with those around you, for your sake and theirs.
    
14. Doing the best you are capable of. – Don’t complain about something you can actually do something about.  Take action.  Do the best that you’re capable of.  Any less is cheating yourself.  Those who get the most from life are those who give the most.  Find something you’re passionate about, and keep tremendously interested in it and focused on it.
    
15. Being the change you want to see. – Happiness, freedom, and peace of mind are always attained by giving them without expectation.  The only way to raise yourself up is to raise others up – to raise your world up – to raise all of life just a little higher.  Joy comes to you when you give it.  Happiness becomes yours when you live it.  Everything you need you are already capable of being.  So smile from the heart and fulfill the destiny that is yours in this priceless moment.

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The Mayonnaise Jar Lesson

 

 

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full… The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
 

The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else—the small stuff.’

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.’

‘If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.’

‘Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.’

‘Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.’

‘Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked. The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.’

Shayk Al Qaradawi's Poem

 

Shayk Al Qaradawi's Poem:

"Oh My nation, the struggle has become obligatory, so put aside chattering and screaming. Put aside dallying. He who dallies and rests is of no help. Put aside all pretence, since massacres and wounds have said their word.The Missionaries of Peace are lying, for there is neither peace nor pardon.Weeping over the ruins of our camp is no longer of avail, nor crying.We should no longer speak with words; rather let the spears have their say…

* * *

Oh men, the matter is grave. The time for jesting has passed. Call things by their real names, for it is men's way to be frank.The veil has fallen from the face, and their secret workings are revealed. The Crusaders have returned once more, and they move about in the [Iraqi] lowlands.They spread perversion in the land, as though it were ground free for all to graze in. They are again spilling blood, without shame of exposure. And the Shi'ites play well the role assigned to them. The treacherous role, whose beginning and end are known to all. They returned when in the East there is no Nur al-Din in power, or Salah [Al-Din]. [4] We have forgotten the past, but they have now scratched the scabs. They did not recoil from slaughtering old men … or small girls. Their hate is not slaked by the blood they spill with such arrogance and impudence. They gleefully abuse the victims' corpses, and violate the honor of women, fearing no retribution or punishment. There is no Mu'tasim [5] to succor those who cry for help. Don't you see how conspiracies against Islam are hatched openly in the light of day? Don't you see how the land of the prophets suffers from wounds? Don't you see how the Jews commit outrages, while we excel in crying out? They violated our Palestine, and declared that they will not leave it. They heed not the censure of U.N. resolutions, nor any proposal…Were it not for the firmness of young men, unwilling to part with their religion, Young men who offer up their blood – and he who offers up his blood is blameless.

* * *

Apostasy has become blatant, having no fear of exposure. In the marketplace of hypocrisy plain falsehood is being peddled Moral depravity is sold there under the name of art and openness Perversion prevails arrogantly and openly day and night…

* * *

Oh Islamic nation, rise up and act! For there is no time to be lost. Heresy has gathered its forces. Why are we frightened and fighting one another? Assemble, and equip yourself as you can with that which is at hand. Oh thousand million [Muslims], where are you when the wounds call out? Bring one million from the billion, the select of the select. One from every thousand, and with them we shall make war on all fronts…

* * *

There is no escape from producing men, this is like the making of arms. The making of heroes is a science that was made clear in out tradition. Heroes can only be made in our mosques, in the garden of the Koran, and in the shade of the true Prophetic traditions. In the company of the righteous, who walk in Allah's abode. Those who guide by example, rather than by eloquence… Those who betray the call to prayer, betray as well the call to struggle. Oh my Islamic nation, stand fast, for night will soon give way to morning…"

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[1] Al-Jazeera TV (Qatar), January 16, 2005.
[2] www.qaradawi.net, January 5, 2005.
[3] In a Friday sermon broadcast on Qatar TV on January 14, 2005, Al-Qaradhawi said: "Allah, help the
fighters of Jihad in spirit and assist them with your many soldiers… Allah, [harm] your enemies, the
enemies of Islam. Allah, [harm] the treacherous and aggressive Jews. Allah, [harm] their oppressive and
patronizing allies. Allah, [harm] all the enemies of Islam and of the Muslims…"
[4] Nur Al-Din Al-Zengi (1146-1174), head of the Zengid confederation, who initiated a Jihad against the
Crusaders, and Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi (1169-1193), conqueror of Jerusalem.
[5] Al-Mu'tasim, an Abbasid caliph (833-842), who in 838 defeated the Byzantine army and conquered the
fortified city of Amorium.

Abstract

Salam to all!

          Phew, I'm quite busy lately. A hectic schedule for a month. Alhamdulillah, that situation not burden me too much. During my hectic time, I thought about ...........

Oh ya, soul. Soulmate. Soul? What else? ( Why soul? heh..)

          The fact is every human being have a soul. Even that person is so cruel, deep inside him/her, there is a soul. Soul, feeling, is an abstract thing. We can't describe it physically. Sometimes we also don't understand about soul and feeling. So called as... dilemma.

Yeah, dilemma is another problem that we always face it. Through out time, how many times do we in this situation? How we handle it? Check out these conversation.

Some person said, "Oh no, dilemma. What should I do? Where should I complain?"

Some will, "Life is no longer for me. Problems always come around. I'm alone. Nobody understand me."

There also people who said, "Why me? I was in trouble for 3 months. And now, again?"

          Yeah, as human being, we will keep complaining in every incidents that happen in our life.  Doesn't matter whether that incidents are good or bad. We are keep complaining and never feel enough and satisfied.

Ops, before that, let us refer to something. Something that we seldom refer to.

So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: [5] Verily with every difficulty there is relief. [6] Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard [7] And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention. [8]

                                                            [Surah ash- Sharh: 5-8]

          Look. Allah reminds us. There are many obstacles that we need to face in our life, after one to another. Each incidents either good or bad, have it magnificient.Then, Allah also let us know that only to Him we must put our attention, our hopes.

          How bout now? What do we feel? Dilemma? Guilty? Or embrassed because Allah keeps remind us? Don't worry. I would like to share something that guide us in every single thing that we do in this world. For the sake of Hereafter.

By (the Token of) time (through the Ages), [1] Verily Man is in loss, [2] Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. [3]

                                                                    [Surah 'Asr: 1-3]

          By time. 'Asr = time. Something that is so precious. He swear by time. By His swearing, followed by tazkeer. To show us that our life is short but forever in Hereafter. We need supply to go there. Then again Allah guide us on how to prepare ourselves for Hereafter. He arrange the flow on how to get a better life in this world also in the Hereafter.

The choice is on us. So decide wisely.

Till then. Be blessed.