A week till school starts

It's weird how ive waited 9 months for school to start and how i was travelling at constant speed from then till yesterday and suddenly today, time seem to move just a little bit too fast.

So many deadlines to take note. And it's much easier having the right people around you who would remind u of things u might not already know. Gone are the days where one is guided from start till finish. Now, all the things u need to know is available on the website. Go read.

However, i realised that though time has moved slightly faster, i too have learnt how to move faster with time thanks to the experience gained in the past months. No more pressing the panic button. No more running around aimlessly. One just gotta read the situation one's in and react accordingly. Step by step, one thing at a time. Ive learnt when 's the right time to do the right thing.

I also realised that ive become some sort of a neat freak in terms of things being in the proper place. However, im still trying to put the things in my room in the right place.

How i miss being in the comfort of a place im comfortable in. Where things remain more or less constant. I remember complaining one too many times about hating it when things do not go my way, when things do not start and end on time, when the unpredictable happens ..... I really did hate it back then.

However ive been constantly reminded each time i complained that thought it is definitely ideal for things to revolve around me, it simply doesnt work that way most of the time. And ive got to learn to work under those changing conditions -- only then will i excel in what im doing, only then will i be an asset.

So every time i feel worried and miserable and i start to miss being somewhere else doing the things im comfortable with and good at, i'll remember the above advice..... and march on.

Put it simply, Im feeling kind of nervous now. Just a little tiny bit, that's all. I used to not want to take that step forward into the unknown. But after stepping into the unknown and being able to do well in it, im ready for this next challenge.....

........with the following in mind:

1. The believer will be grateful (make shukr) in times and occasions of success and prosperity, and he will be patient (make sabr) when failure and adversity overtake him. This is the great advantage which Allah Ta'ala points to in the following aayat:

"...so that you do not lose hope over what you have lost nor do you become elated because of what you have gained." (Surah Hadeed)

2. The believer will not rely solely on material and mundane measures, but will resort to dua as well. He believes that nothing can be gained without His Will. He thus derives greater hope and strength by supplicating to Allah Ta'ala. An additional benefit of engaging in dua is the strengthening of one's relationship with Allah Ta'ala. A strong bond of love with Allah Ta'ala is the basis of peace and all comfort.

3. The believer in Taqdeer will not attribute success, accomplishment and excellence to his efforts. He will attribute everything to the Will and Pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. He will thus be imbued with humility. Such a man will not be arrogant and haughty.

4. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates that Rasulullah (saws) said: "Strive to acquire what is beneficial for you; seek the aid of Allah; do not lose courage and if a setback overtakes you, do not say: 'If I had done this then it would have happened like this (i.e. not what had happened).' Instead, say: 'Allah has ordained this. Whatever He has willed, has happened. (Muslim)