Just for Today

I am going to reveal one of my secrets in this post. It is a poem/set of things to do in a day by Kenneth-L-Homes. I found this poem from a magazine called competition success review when I was around 13 years old. Ever since then I have cherished it. Although I don't read it or follow it everyday, it has been very useful during my difficult times. The lines in red is the actual poem and the once in blue are my views and experience with it.

Just for today, I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle my whole life problem
at once. I can do something for twelve hours
that would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.

“ Most of the time we fail to understand/realize that all the problems in life no matter how big it is, gets solved with time. If you think back about the problems which were bothering you few years back, you will realize that they don't exist any more or they are of no value today"

Just for today, I will be happy. This assumes to
be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that
"most folks are as happy as they make up
their minds to be."

“Truly said, happiness lies within ourselves.”

Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind.
I will study. I will learn something useful.
I will not be a mental loafer. I will read
something that requires effort, thought and
concentration.

“Being a stay at home mom for around 5 years now, this part of the poem has really helped me grow within the four walls of my home. Reading books, surfing the Internet, learning new stuffs has been always been a part of my life. I feel more confident and useful despite of being with in the boundaries of my house. Knowledge is strength, the more you learn the stronger you get.” 

Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is,
and not try to adjust everything to my own
desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes,
and fit myself to it.

“It is easy to change ourselves than others.”

Just for today, I will exercise my soul in three
ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and
not get found out. I will do at least two
things I don't want to--just for exercise.
I will not show anyone that my feelings are
hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not
show it

“I always find it very difficult to find two things that I don't like :). Hiding hurt feelings helps you forget that you are hurt.”

Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look
as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low,
act courteously, criticize not one bit, not
find fault with anything and not try to improve
or regulate anybody except myself.

“Good looks keeps confidence high.”

Just for today, I will have a program. I may not
follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will
save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

“Very true, things get done much before the expected time if you have scheduled them wisely.” 

Just for today, I will have a quiet half hour all
by myself, and relax. During this half hour,
sometime, I will try to get a better perspective
of my life.

“Helps in gaining peace of mind.”

Just for today, I will be unafraid. Especially I
will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful,
and to believe that as I give to the world, so
the world will give to me.

“Fear reduces your productivity."

 -Kenneth L. Holmes

                                                                                                    - Umm Aaminah :P

Dua to get labour pains

Usually tension starts building when you start nearing your due-date, and it blows out of proportion when the days go way beyond that( due-date). The sleepless nights and uncomfortable over sized tummy, with occasional kicks and punches from inside makes it difficult to get peace. This is actually the time to put your full trust in Allah and wait with patience to see his yet another wonderful creations. During these last days what you need to do is build up your imaan(faith in Allah), which is essential to deliver the child with confidence without  worrying too much about complications.

The next question now is how do you build that iman?

This is what you need do:  When you start nearing your due-date or when ever you get tired of waiting for your labour pain to trigger, just start walking around the house saying the 99 names of Allah, repeating each name around 150-200 times. As you chant these names just try to keep the meaning of that name in your mind for eg: When you are reciting the name YA Rahmanu YA Allah, draw a picture of Allah who is Rahman, the one full of mercy in your mind and tell yourself that my creator is merciful and he will shower his mercy on me and my unborn child. This way you might take a couple of days to finish reciting all these names. Unto your surprise you will notice that each and every name of Allah has  to do something with your labour pain and your unborn child as you recite them. Don't overdo it, walk with medium pace and stop when ever required.

The names and meanings of Allah is available on various websites on the net, just google for it.The above said dua worked for me. I was 2 weeks past my due-date but I delivered a healthy baby just one day after I had finished reciting all the names of Allah in the above said manner. All praise be to him.

And lastly what I want to add is that, the due date is just a rough estimation, only Allah knows the actual date, time and place of delivery. I cannot give an authentic report but i have read a book on shafi fiqh in which it was writtern that the period of gestation can be from 6 months to 4 years!!In fact shafi imam was inside his mother's womb for 2 years!! I cannot prove this to you but I believed in it when I crossed my due-date and prayed Allah to give me an easy delivery which he did.

I would suggest you to wait beyond the due-date unless and untill you feel there is any complication. You must go to the doctor if you think there is a problem, you can judge better than others in this case.May Allah make it easy for all the epectant moms. Ameen.

Why have Kids?

Look how kids can change you for good:

They help you to:

•  Increase your patience.

Measuring tolerance level  in a scale of 1 to 10, if your tolerance level was  0 before you gave birth to your first child, After her/his  birth it may increase  to say 2 insha Allah, after your second child’s birth its level may  increase to 5. So imagine if you have 10 kids J !

No wonder why women who birth 10 gets Jannah.

So patience is directly proportional to the number of kids you have.

•  To be selfless and sacrificing

It is very difficult to have something of your own, they come and ask for it. You cannot even eat a sweet without sharing a piece with them they come and ask for it no matter where you go and hide J, they are aware of all my moves..the little detectives.

You would prefer to buy clothes, books and toys for them from the money that you had kept aside for your own clothes J.

You sometimes will go to bed without food if they eat your share especially if the food was tasty.

•     To be active

They won’t let yousleep when they are awake. And you will haveto finish most of the work when they are asleep.

•   To be creative and entertaining

                                                              

You have to keep thinking of new ideas to keep them busy when you work on my laptop or when you cook food for them.

•   To be good to others

When you scold or use bad language with others, they catch up very soon. You will see them doing the same with in no time, so you need to be very careful.

•   To be a good cook

They can starve for days if the food doesn’t turn out to be tasty.                                                                                   

•    To be a good nurse

                                                 

You will have to keep track of their medicine’s schedule and stay awake at night if they are not well. You will have to wash and cloth them and take care of their hygiene.

• To be a good teacher

                                            

You need to teach them to live as they grow and inculcate good values in them Insha Allah.

•     To be a good cleaner

                                                         

You should be ready with a broom and mop all the time to keep the place clean when they are awake. They dirty the floor with in no time, they spill fluids they throw toys every ware etc etc.

Keeping the house clean would be a dream come true if you have kids.

• To organize yourself

                                               

You will have to keep track of the time that you need to do each task and schedule them.

•   To be good laundress

                                                     

They spill many things on their clothes and cleaning them is a nightmare.

•  To be a loving person

                                                             

They are very caring and loving and their kisses, hugs and the smile on their face will show it all. They melt your heart and make you soft.

•  Understand your value and take care of your health

                                                 

In order to do all these you will need to take care of yourself so that you are healthy enough to give them your time and love. You will feel needed and important.

•   To be a good Wife

                                                      

You will try to argue and nag your husband less when you see the sad faces of your kids after you both have a fight. This will help you to improve your relationship with  your spouse.

•    Last but not the least; they will help you get closer to Allah

                                                      

I can’t explain the gratitude that you will have towards your lord for giving you these blessings. Any amount of sujud you do to him will not be sufficient to compensate for the blessings of a healthy child that he gives you.

And I pray Allah to give kids to all those couples who are struggling to have them.