Alasan Kenapa Kota Tua Terasa Lebih Sejuk daripada Kota Modern
Seminggu yang lalu
Pernah tak kamu dengar mengenai warna-warna alam dan solat? Seperti apa yang diberitahu oleh Ustaz Zahazan Mohamed dalam Laman Web nya ‘Zahazan.net‘, “Setiap peralihan waktu solat sebenarnya menunjukkan perubahan tenaga alam ini yang boleh diukur dan dicerap melalui perubahan warna alam“. Disini saya ceritakan secara ringkas mengenai warna alam dan solat untuk renungan saya dan sesiapa yang membacanya. Semoga ianya akan menambahkan lagi rasa syukur kita kerana telah dikurniakan dengan syariat solat dari Allah s.w.t, juga rasa syukur kerana telah diberi nikmat sebagai seorang muslim…
Subuh:
Pada waktu Subuh alam berada dalam spektrum warna biru muda yang bersamaan dengan frekuensi tiroid yang mempengaruhi sistem metabolisma tubuh. Mempunyai rahsia berkaitan dengan penawar/rezeki dan komunikasi. Kerap tertinggal waktu Subuhnya ataupun terlewat secara berulang-ulang kali, lama kelamaan akan menghadapi masalah komunikasi dan rezeki. Ini kerana tenaga alam iaitu biru muda tidak dapat diserap oleh tiroid yang mesti berlaku dalam keadaan roh dan jasad bercantum (keserentakan ruang dan masa) – dalam erti kata lain jaga daripada tidur. Disini juga dapat kita cungkil akan rahsia diperintahkan solat diawal waktu. Bermulanya saja azan Subuh, tenaga alam pada waktu itu berada pada tahap optimum. Tenaga inilah yang akan diserap oleh tubuh melalui konsep resonan pada waktu rukuk dan sujud. Jadi mereka yang terlewat Subuhnya sebenar sudah mendapat tenaga yang tidak optimum lagi.
Zuhur:
Warna alam seterusnya berubah ke warna hijau (isyraq & dhuha) dan kemudian warna kuning menandakan masuknya waktu Zohor. Spektrum warna pada waktu ini bersamaan dengan frekuensi perut dan hati yang berkaitan dengan sistem penghadaman. Warna kuning ini mempunyai rahsia yang berkaitan dengan keceriaan. Jadi mereka yang selalu ketinggalan atau terlewat Zuhurnya berulang-ulang kali dalam hidupnya akan menghadapi masalah di perut dan hilang sifat cerianya.
Asar:
Warna alam akan berubah kepada warna oren, iaitu masuknya waktu Asar di mana spektrum warna pada waktu ini bersamaan dengan frekuensi prostat, uterus, ovari dan testis yang merangkumi sistem reproduktif. Rahsia warna oren ialah kreativiti. Orang yang kerap tertinggal Asar akan hilang daya kreativitinya dan lebih malang lagi kalau di waktu Asar ni jasad dan roh seseorang ini terpisah (tidur la tu). Tenaga pada waktu Asar ni amat diperlukan oleh organ-organ reproduktif kita.
Maghrib:
Menjelang waktu Maghrib, alam berubah ke warna merah dan di waktu ini kita kerap dinasihatkan oleh orang-orang tua agar tidak berada di luar rumah. Ini kerana spektrum warna pada waktu ini menghampiri frekuensi jin dan iblis (infra-red) dan ini bermakna jin dan iblis pada waktu ini amat bertenaga kerana mereka resonan dengan alam. Mereka yang sedang dalam perjalanan juga seelok-eloknya berhenti dahulu pada waktu ini (solat Maghrib dulu la) kerana banyak interferens (pembelauan) berlaku pada waktu ini yang boleh mengelirukan mata kita. Rahsia waktu Maghrib atau warna merah ialah keyakinan, pada frekuensi otot, saraf dan tulang.
Isyak:
Apabila masuk waktu Isyak, alam berubah ke warna Indigo dan seterusnya memasuki fasa Kegelapan. Waktu Isyak ini menyimpan rahsia ketenteraman dan kedamaian di mana frekuensinya bersamaan dengan sistem kawalan otak. Mereka yang kerap ketinggalan Isyaknya akan selalu berada dalam kegelisahan. Alam sekarang berada dalam Kegelapan dan sebetulnya, inilah waktu tidur dalam Islam. Tidur pada waktu ini dipanggil tidur delta dimana keseluruhan sistem tubuh berada dalam kerehatan.
Selepas tengah malam, alam mula bersinar kembali dengan warna putih, merah jambu dan seterusnya ungu di mana ianya bersamaan dengan frekuensi kelenjar pineal, pituitari, talamus dan hipotalamus. Tubuh sepatutnya bangkit kembali pada waktu ini dan dalam Islam waktu ini dipanggil Qiamullail.
Inilah kaitan antara warna alam dan solat yang saya ambil secara ringkas dari Laman Web Ustaz Zahazan. Kepada sesiapa yang nak membaca artikel sebenar, kamu bolehlah membacanya di Zahazan.net.
Innalillahiwainnailaihirajiun...
Takziah buat keluarga adik Aminul Rasyid atas tragedi yang berlaku. Semoga Allah menempatkan arwah dikalangan hamba-hambaNYA yang soleh dan bertakwa.
Saya mendapat berita kejadian ini melalui seorang sahabat melalui sms malam tadi dan pada petang ini baru saya berkesempatan mengetahui kisah lebih lanjut melalui laman-laman blog yang boleh dipercayai. Apabila membaca laporan polis yang dibuat oleh sahabat mangsa dan merupakan saksi utama kejadian sebagaimana yang terdapat dalam Perisik Rakyat, hati saya tersentak. Mengapa ada manusia sekejam itu sanggup membunuh satu nyawa yang belum pasti apakah kesalahannya dan yang melakukan itu adalah seorang polis yang di anggap sebagai pelindung kepada rakyat di negara yang dikatakan aman dan damai ini. Di manakah keadilan yang diwar-warkan dan dijulang-julang??
Kes ini bukan baru pertama kali. Tetapi telah berkali-kali berlaku sebagaimana yang terjadi kepada saudara Shahril Azlan pada tahun lepas. Begitu juga kejadian tembakan rambang di Batu Buruk, Terengganu beberapa tahun yang lepas. Saya melihat bahawa negara Malaysia sudah tidak aman lagi dengan peristiwa-peristiwa yang tragis berlaku ke atas rakyat Malaysia. Disangkakan kita hanya menyaksikan kekejaman ini di Palestin, Thailand, Iraq, Bosnia dan lain2, tetapi di sekeliling kita juga sebenarnya kejadian yang sama telah lama berlaku tanpa kita sedari ia perlahan-lahan membunuh sifat kemanusiaan rakyat di Malaysia ini sehingga peristiwa yang sama berulang lagi.
Marilah sama-sama kita bangkit menuntut keadilan dan jangan sekadar menjadi pendengar dan penonton..
Power Step #3: Look to the Future
If you dwell on your past mistakes your creativity can crash to a grinding halt and you will be unable to move forward. Losing is good if you interpret it correctly.
Demonstration Example: A friend of mine told me how a number of years ago, an acquaintance of his, approached him with a spectacular lead about a stock that was certain to triple in price in the next few weeks. The price was $7.45 a share. So, despite his misgivings he bought 200 shares. From that day the stock dropped. Finally eighteen months later he decided to cut his losses and sell.
He sold the stock for a huge loss at a grand total of $413. He could have let this one bad experience drive him from ever investing in the stock market again. However, this wise man explained, he was glad to have learned such valuable lessons.
It taught him:
1. Ignore the guy who wants to give a hot tip.
2. Check into a company carefully before buying.
3. Sell if it starts dropping too much.
Education of the Highest Merit
Don't regard mistakes as mistakes. It ceases to be a mistake and loses its power to hold you back if you can learn to be glad that you've not failed but learned valuable lessons in life. That attitude will help you to build future successes.
Lost a job? You probably weren't suited, so take the time out to decide what you really want to do. Built a business and then it crashed? Perhaps you don't like running your own business. Can't sell a product? Look for the reason and then act. Either try out other ways to sell it or scrap the product and sell a different one.
Blessed is he who is not discouraged by mistakes. Blessed is he who is glad he makes mistakes. Winning - or losing - is a state of mind.
Power Step #4: It's Never Too Late
Sadly, the following story is all too common: Bill spent years training to be an engineer, although he never really liked engineering. But he thought it was worth the sacrifice because it was a highly paid skill.
After college, he started a job with an engineering company. Years later he was still working at the same company and still hating it. His excuse was with a mortgage and family ties he was scared to leave the engineering firm and go into a job with lower wages.
After twenty years he was still afraid to correct a mistake made all those years ago. He was now too scared to change jobs, simply because he'd left it too late. He didn't want to compete with younger men experienced at their job.
If you have a goal and you find yourself saying 'it's too late', the only way to conquer that fear is to ignore it and go ahead and do the thing you fear. It's NEVER too late if you have the courage and the passion to follow your dream.
Power Step #5: Don't Crave Security
In ages past we accepted that life was full of hardships. They grappled with huge animals in a desperate bid to kill them for food. The odds were simple; either succeed or starve, kill or be killed.
As civilisations discovered fire and then electricity and gas to keep warm, bought food from markets and built houses of stone, people became less willing to deal with any unexpected events that threatened to turn their cosy life upside down. So, insurance was invented.
The idea of insurance is to cushion the impact of the unexpected. In theory it's a good idea, but it has turned our society into a population of security seekers. It has weakened our strength as individuals who know we can surmount any problem or situation that life throws our way.
The stifling extent of this slavery is enormous. The more security we have the less psychological freedom we can enjoy and the less our chances are of success and abundance.
Dare to Take a Chance
The only places to find security are a prison or mental hospital. Inmates are assured a roof over their heads, food and warmth and no responsibilities. The price tag for this security? No freedom.
Unfortunately, it's all too easy to reel off a list of bad things that could happen to us. For most people it's easier than thinking of the good things that could happen. People who crave security are slaves to a vivid imagination that conjures up bad news items that could happen to them, and they allow these images to cripple their actions. Too afraid to start that great business idea because of all the things they imagine that could go wrong. Too frightened to sell up and buy a larger house in another area because the house prices could drop or the children won't like the new schools, or... and so it goes on for an endless list.
Every child loves surprises and life is fun and exciting because of this. As we grow up and we fight for security, we eliminate the risks but in doing so we eliminate the surprises and limit our chances to achieve more than a humdrum life.
If you want to make sure you don't stifle your need for excitement:
1. Dare to be individual.
2. Dare to develop your own style - instead of following fashion.
3. Dare to study and work to improve yourself in your profession.
4. Dare to have a positive mental attitude and the courage to try.
In other words: Dare to take a chance.
Power Step #6: I Am Certain to Win
Our minds drive us to achieve exactly what we believe we're capable of achieving. This is good news because once we understand this and master the art of controlled thinking, then we can guide our destinies towards success.
Controlled experiments over many years have proved that children who are considered by their teachers, friends and families to be 'troublesome or terrors' actually end up getting into trouble with a high percentage becoming juvenile delinquents. However, the 'good' group of boys (in the same age group at the beginning of a study) believed by teachers, friends and families to stay out of trouble and succeed in school, go on to do so. Each group of children achieve in accordance with what people around them believe them capable of doing.
The conclusion of many similar studies is this: thinking does make it so. Only a miracle can make the football team win who starts a game with the 'we know they'll beat us,' attitude.
If you need to break the bonds of 'I'm certain to fail' slavery:
1. Hold positive chats with yourself.
2. Surround yourself with positive people.
3. Think, 'I'm going to succeed'.
4. Think, 'I'm a winner'.
The only person you will have to convince is yourself. Other people are automatically convinced you're great and a success, after you have convinced yourself.
Stuart Goldsmith is a British multimillionaire author and entrepreneur. He created a 16 million fortune starting from a position of heavy debt, and has taught thousands of others how to get wealthy. Learn more about Stuart Goldsmith's private member site here: Stuart Goldsmith's Inner Circle
23 MAC 2010
"Kupersembahkan jiwa ini ke hadrat Allah dan Dia pula yang akan menyelamatkannya. Inilah perjanjian antara Allah dan seorang hamba-Nya, yang kucatat di sini, dengan guruku sebagai saksi. Apa pun tak bisa mempengaruhinya, kecuali nurani. Siapa pun tak bisa menebusnya, kecuali Tuhan. Hanya mereka yang memenuhi janjinya kepada Allah, berhak menerima imbalannya."
-As-Syahid Hassan Al-Banna-
Saya berhenti sekejap daripada berkongsi dengan sahabat-sahabat artikel "Power Steps to Your Success" yang telah 2 siri saya postkan. Mohon maaf juga sebab kali ini saya kembali dengan bahasa ibunda. Sekadar perkongsian mengenai rasa hati saya pada ketika ini dan pengajaran yang saya dapat dari rasa hati ini. Semoga ia sentiasa menjadi muhasabah buat diri saya yang memiliki iman yang rapuh dan sentiasa di uji oleh Allah s.w.t.
Secara jujurnya, saya sangat rindukan saat tersebut. Saat di mana saya mengenal erti ukhuwwah dan kasih sayang..saat saya dibentuk menjadi lebih baik dari sebelumnya..saat saya bersama-sama sahabat seperjuangan di medan tarbiyah..semuanya adalah kenangan yang tidak mampu dilupakan dan tidak dapat di ulang semula. Beberapa hari dalam fatrah peperiksaan akhir ini hatta sehingga ke hari ini pun, saya rasa gelisah dan gundah untuk menghadapi saat itu kembali..Ya Allah..aku benar-benar teruji tika ini. Lantas ayat 1-3 surah al-Ankabut menjadi rujukanku. Semoga Allah s.w.t mengampunkan dosa hambaNYA ini.
Setelah saya ”di basuh” dengan bahan cucian yang secukupnya oleh sahabat-sahabat dapat saya konklusikan tentang satu perkara yang senang untuk diperkatakan oleh semua orang tapi susah untuk dipraktikkan termasuklah diri saya yang menulis. Tentang BERLAPANG DADA. Mari kita sama-sama selami makna di sebalik sifat ini.
Sifat berlapang dada merupakan salah satu nikmat dari Allah s.w.t kepada hamba-hambaNYA yang muslim. Sifat yang mana Allah s.w.t jadikan hatinya bersih dari permusuhan dan kebencian, jernih dari dengki dan hasad, bebas dari muslihat dan pengkhianatan dan tidak wujud di hatinya melainkan kecintaan dan rasa kasih sayang kepada saudaranya sesama Islam.
Dengan sifat-sifat tersebut darjatnya ditinggikan dan kedudukannya dimuliakan di dalam hati orang lain. Semua ini adalah sifat-sifat yang sangat mulia yang tidak akan sanggup disandang melainkan mereka yang memiliki kejujuran dan keikhlasan dan tidak ada yang akan dapat mencapai dasar kedalamannya kecuali mereka yang bersungguh-sungguh melawan hawa nafsu. Selagi mana seseorang itu memiliki hati yang bersih dan sihat, nescaya orang lain akan menyatakan kemaafan kepadanya atas kesalahan yang telah dilakukan. Bahkan kesalahan dan keburukan yang telah dilakukan terhadapnya di balas dengan kebaikan sebagaimana petunjuk yang diberikan oleh Allah s.w.t melalui firmanNYA:
"Dan tidaklah sama kebaikan dan kejahatan. Tolaklah (kejahatan itu) dengan cara yang lebih baik, sehingga orang yang ada rasa permusuhan antara kamu dan dia akan seperti teman yang setia. Dan (sifat-sifat yang baik itu) tidak akan dianugerahkan kecuali kepada orang-orang yang sabar dan tidak dianugerahkan kecuali kepada orang-orang yang mempunyai keberuntungan yang besar."
(Surah Fussilat: 34-35)
Begitu juga dalam hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Abu Hurairah r.a:
"Seorang lelaki berkata: Wahai Rasulullah s.a.w, sesungguhnya aku mempunyai kerabat. Aku jalin tali silaturrahim kepada mereka, tetapi mereka memutuskan aku. Aku berbuat baik kepada mereka, tapi mereka berbuat buruk kepadaku. Aku bersikap santun terhadap mereka, tetapi mereka menganiayaku. Maka Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda: Jika engkau adalah sebagaimana yang engkau katakan, maka seolah-olah engkau memberi makan mereka dan Allah s.w.t akan selalu memberikan pembelaanNYA kepada engkau atas mereka, selama mana engkau berada dalam keadaan demikian."
(Hadis Riwayat Muslim: 2558: Al-Birru wa As-silah)
Berlapang dada adalah sifat yang sangat dominan dalam kehidupan para sahabat r.a sekaligus merupakan sifat mulia yang yang mengangkat darjat mereka.
Rasulullah s.a.w telah mengisyaratkan sebanyak tiga kali kepada salah seorang sahabat, bahawa dia adalah termasuk ahli syurga.
Maka Abdullah merasa hairan dengan perihalnya, lalu beliau bertanya kepadanya. "Perbuatan apa yang menyebabkan engkau diberikan darjat sebagaimana yang dikatakan oleh Rasulullah s.a.w? "
Lalu sahabat tersebut menjawab: "Tidak ada melainkan apa yang engkau lihat. Aku hanya menghindarkan niat dalam diriku untuk memperdayakan seorang muslim, dan aku tidak berasa hasad terhadap seseorang atas kebaikan yang diberikan Allah s.w.t kepadanya."
Abdullah lalu berkata: "Jadi inilah yang menyebabkan engkau mencapai darjat tersebut dan inilah yang tidak aku sanggupi."
(dikeluarkan riwayat oleh Ahmad [3/166] dengan sanad sahih)
Sofyan bin Dinar mengatakan kepada Abu Basyir-salah seorang sahabat Ali bin Abi Talib r.a: "Beritakan kepadaku tentang amal-amal perbuatan umat sebelum kita?”
Dia menjawab: " mereka sedikit berbuat, tetapi banyak mendapatkan pahala."
Sofyan bertanya: " apa sebabnya?"
Dia berkata: "dengan sebab kelapangan dada mereka."
(dikeluarkan riwayat oleh Hannad bab: az-Zuhd [2/600])
Demikianlah antara bukti-bukti tentang kelebihan berlapang dada yang telah saya petik dari buku Taaruf Cinta karangan Muhammad bin Ismail Al-’Umrani yang pernah saya kongsikan sebelum ini. Lihatlah betapa bersihnya hati para sahabat sehingga sifat berlapang dada melingkungi diri mereka. Bagaimana dengan kita?? Bagaimana dengan saya?? Ya Allah..terlalu banyak rasanya dosa yang telah dilakukan sehingga sukar untuk kita berlapang dada dengan orang yang lain.
Kadang-kadang kita terlalu mengharapkan orang lain agar berlapang dada dengan sikap dan diri kita tanpa kita sedar bahawa kita sendiri susah untuk bersikap sedemikian. Situasi ini dapat dilihat walau di mana posisi kita berada samada sebagai orang atas, atau sebagai orang bawah. Kesannya akan berlaku ketidaksefahaman dalam melakukan kerja dan dalam memahami diri orang lain. Kesan yang lebih teruk akan timbul pelbagai prasangka yang bukan-bukan (su'uzhon) sehingga akhirnya boleh menggugat sesuatu perhubungan.
Maka sahabat-sahabat..ayuh kita muhasabah diri kita kembali. Layakkah kita bersama-sama para sahabat di akhirat nanti sekiranya sifat ini sukar ditanamkan dalam diri? Kita memang senang untuk berkata-kata tapi susah untuk melakukannya. Diri yang menulis ini pun tidak terlepas. Semoga Allah s.w.t memberikan kita semua kekuatan umtuk menghadapinya.
Apabila perkataan kalian membuat hatiku berdarah
Aku bersabar atas rasa sakit yang kalian berikan lalu aku mengabaikannya
Lalu aku datang kepada kalian dengan wajah yang ceria
Seolah-olah aku tidak pernah mendengar dan melihatnya.
*Apa yang baik dari penulisan ini datang dari Allah s.w.t, dan yang buruk datang dari kelemahan penulis sendiri. Sebarang komen atau teguran sangat di alu-alukan.
Power Step #2: Strive to be Different
Nearly everyone you know will strive to be normal - because it's socially acceptable. But the normal person goes nowhere special and achieves the mundane.
Using a fictitious character called Norman, here's an example of his normal expectations of life and mediocre results:
'I live in a pleasant neighbourhood in an average house (translated as meaning: all the houses and gardens along the street look exactly alike, apart from the odd differences in plants). I own an average car (just another standard box on wheels, which apart from minor differences looks like nearly every other car on the road).'
Norman's other goals and ambitions:
'I save up all year round to take my wife and children on holiday, somewhere nice where it's safe. We usually book a package holiday, so everything is taken care of and we know exactly what to expect. Even the entertainment is all planned for us.
My job is boring, but it pays the bills and the pension is good. It'll never make me rich, but then I don't want to be rich (but he wouldn't give away a lottery win!). Anyone who's rich has had to lie and cheat their way to the top. I like to sleep at night with a clear conscience. I may not have much but at least it's honest toil.
I don't have much to do with the neighbours; I don't really like them. But, to keep the peace I mow my lawn once a week and keep the garden weeded and tidy, and do the odd job for them. I like to think they view me as a nice guy.
Every other weekend we visit our best friends, Alice and Paul, and they visit us alternate weekends. Like us, they're your average typical family. Most nights after work I shower, change and after dinner, put my feet up and watch television until bedtime. Every Sunday, we have a roast dinner and every Friday we treat ourselves to a fry up. Am I happy, well, it's life isn't it?'
That's how Norman thinks and lives his life and that's how many people live their life. The Normans spend their days, grumbling about how they hate their job, get fed up with their bosses and partners, but that's all they do. The same gripes day in and day out - but taking no action to change their situation, simply because they are slaves to being normal (and 'what will other people think of me, if I do something unusual?').
Living in the Fast Lane of the Elite
Let's compare Norman's goals and ambitions with another invented character, David. He's one of the smaller group of people who move forward and live the life of the elite and privileged.
'My philosophy on life is simple. Life is too short to be little.
I'm not concerned with what other people think of me. If all my neighbours want to cut down their hedges and build short brick walls and block pave their drives, that's their choice, but I'm not going to have it done just to please them. I like the trees so they're staying and I prefer to have a shingle drive. I've done everything possible to make our house individual.
Often, I ring Sarah from the office and ask her to forget about cooking dinner for that night and how about going out for a meal? We've tried all the restaurants within a twenty km radius. We both love holidays, and I take the family as often as possible. We spend most weekends, exploring new places and trying out different activities.
I love my job, it's very challenging being a manager. I get to meet and work with people of many different personality traits, from varied backgrounds. Every now and then a junior is obviously aiming to take my job. I don't find it threatening, I like the challenge. I enjoy working with intelligent people who stretch my potential.
I work hard and I am paid well. Do I feel guilty? No, I expect to be paid handsomely for my efforts, I wouldn't have it any other way. We live in a large house in an exclusive area and that's my reward for going the extra mile at work. I don't automatically go home at the end of the working day. And sometimes I arrive at the office as early as 6am, just to prepare for a meeting with my team.
I want to be rich and I am prepared to plan and work towards my goals. I look forward to the future. I don't know what's around the corner and I don't care, because whatever happens I will handle the situation. I know I can solve problems - my strength lies within, it does not come from any outside forces. I couldn't care less whether other people approve of me or not, I know I'm okay and that's all that matters.'
Two Opposing Philosophies
Norman's slavery to acting normal (and slavery to what other people think), creates poverty and unhappiness. While David's striving to be different (and refusal to be a slave to other people's expectations of him) creates wealth and happiness.
If you are ever tempted to query if David's attitude is not a tad selfish, then just ask yourself this question, 'who would you prefer to have as a friend? Norman, who's bored and unhappy or David who's exciting and happy?' Easy isn't it.
to be continue again..
Nearly everyone you know will strive to be normal - because it's socially acceptable. But the normal person goes nowhere special and achieves the mundane.
Using a fictitious character called Norman, here's an example of his normal expectations of life and mediocre results:
'I live in a pleasant neighbourhood in an average house (translated as meaning: all the houses and gardens along the street look exactly alike, apart from the odd differences in plants). I own an average car (just another standard box on wheels, which apart from minor differences looks like nearly every other car on the road).'
Norman's other goals and ambitions:
'I save up all year round to take my wife and children on holiday, somewhere nice where it's safe. We usually book a package holiday, so everything is taken care of and we know exactly what to expect. Even the entertainment is all planned for us.
My job is boring, but it pays the bills and the pension is good. It'll never make me rich, but then I don't want to be rich (but he wouldn't give away a lottery win!). Anyone who's rich has had to lie and cheat their way to the top. I like to sleep at night with a clear conscience. I may not have much but at least it's honest toil.
I don't have much to do with the neighbours; I don't really like them. But, to keep the peace I mow my lawn once a week and keep the garden weeded and tidy, and do the odd job for them. I like to think they view me as a nice guy.
Every other weekend we visit our best friends, Alice and Paul, and they visit us alternate weekends. Like us, they're your average typical family. Most nights after work I shower, change and after dinner, put my feet up and watch television until bedtime. Every Sunday, we have a roast dinner and every Friday we treat ourselves to a fry up. Am I happy, well, it's life isn't it?'
That's how Norman thinks and lives his life and that's how many people live their life. The Normans spend their days, grumbling about how they hate their job, get fed up with their bosses and partners, but that's all they do. The same gripes day in and day out - but taking no action to change their situation, simply because they are slaves to being normal (and 'what will other people think of me, if I do something unusual?').
Living in the Fast Lane of the Elite
Let's compare Norman's goals and ambitions with another invented character, David. He's one of the smaller group of people who move forward and live the life of the elite and privileged.
'My philosophy on life is simple. Life is too short to be little.
I'm not concerned with what other people think of me. If all my neighbours want to cut down their hedges and build short brick walls and block pave their drives, that's their choice, but I'm not going to have it done just to please them. I like the trees so they're staying and I prefer to have a shingle drive. I've done everything possible to make our house individual.
Often, I ring Sarah from the office and ask her to forget about cooking dinner for that night and how about going out for a meal? We've tried all the restaurants within a twenty km radius. We both love holidays, and I take the family as often as possible. We spend most weekends, exploring new places and trying out different activities.
I love my job, it's very challenging being a manager. I get to meet and work with people of many different personality traits, from varied backgrounds. Every now and then a junior is obviously aiming to take my job. I don't find it threatening, I like the challenge. I enjoy working with intelligent people who stretch my potential.
I work hard and I am paid well. Do I feel guilty? No, I expect to be paid handsomely for my efforts, I wouldn't have it any other way. We live in a large house in an exclusive area and that's my reward for going the extra mile at work. I don't automatically go home at the end of the working day. And sometimes I arrive at the office as early as 6am, just to prepare for a meeting with my team.
I want to be rich and I am prepared to plan and work towards my goals. I look forward to the future. I don't know what's around the corner and I don't care, because whatever happens I will handle the situation. I know I can solve problems - my strength lies within, it does not come from any outside forces. I couldn't care less whether other people approve of me or not, I know I'm okay and that's all that matters.'
Two Opposing Philosophies
Norman's slavery to acting normal (and slavery to what other people think), creates poverty and unhappiness. While David's striving to be different (and refusal to be a slave to other people's expectations of him) creates wealth and happiness.
If you are ever tempted to query if David's attitude is not a tad selfish, then just ask yourself this question, 'who would you prefer to have as a friend? Norman, who's bored and unhappy or David who's exciting and happy?' Easy isn't it.
to be continue again..
By: Stuart Goldsmith
Creator of: Stuart Goldsmith's Inner Circle
As long as our final exam is coming soon, i would like to share with all some motivations for my latest post. Hope all of readers will enjoy it.
The following power steps structure your thinking to make sure the actions you take will drive you towards success.
Power Step #1: Be In Charge Of Your Life
Caring what other people think of you puts them in charge of your life, instead of you.
'What will other people think of me?' slavery is extremely common. Most of us are brought up (rightfully so) to consider others. But, unless we are discerning, we soon find ourselves caught up in a job we can't stand, or living in a relationship which makes us unhappy, or getting caught up in the spiral of poverty.
'Trying to please other people all the time' syndrome begins in childhood. It stems from a desire to be liked and admired. Let's look at a fairly typical scenario: three boys, Fred, Joe, and Matthew, all five years old, are best pals. They fight to sit together at school and spend their breaks in a group. Fred comes to school one day with a stack of pokemon cards to show his friends. Joe is envious of Fred's collection and a fight breaks out when Fred refuses to give a prized card to Joe.
There are several resulting scenarios, all with serious implications for Fred's future. A teacher could break up the fight and make Fred feel guilty for not parting with the prized card. Joe could refuse to talk to Fred even ending the friendship, unless Fred relented. Matthew would side with either Joe or Fred, or be a peacemaker and force the other two to discuss the problem and sort it out amicably.
The biggest danger to Fred, is if the solution entails his giving the card away, when he really doesn't want to. In other words, if the only reason he gives in, is because he desperately wants to be liked and it really matters what his friends think of him. If they were real friends, of course, Joe would understand Fred's view and Matthew would not criticise. Fred might even willingly offer Joe another not so valuable card out of his collection.
Over the years thousands of small incidents build up, until by the time we are adults, most of us make a habit of putting what other people think of us before our own personal needs and desires.
The Right Reasons
Before you cut the grass, decorate the house, start a business, go on holiday, always ask yourself, 'am I doing this for the right reasons?' Yes, the gardening has to be done, but not if you're in the middle of crucial market research and if you don't cut the grass today you're worried that the neighbour's will think you're lazy. Yes, a house has to be decorated, but not if it's at the expense of your health through shooting your stress level through the roof trying to fit it in between a busy advertising campaign, and it's only because your partner insists you do it now.
'Other people' slavery kills your creativity, your energy and drive towards your own goals and fulfilling your dreams. It stops you from going to places you want to visit and enjoying the kind of entertainment that you enjoy. So, make certain you're not always driven to do things, merely because you're worried about what other people think of you. Be confident in who you are!
to be continue....
2 MAC 2010
Alhamdulillah setelah seminggu bergelumang dengan suhu badan yang sekejap panas dan sekejap sejuk, dan beberapa kali bermain dengan jarum injection dari Fever Centre Hospital Selayang, akhirnya malam tadi saya disahkan bebas dari wabak yang boleh membawa maut..DENGGI. Gejala yang saya alami tidaklah seteruk mangsa denggi yang lain sehingga berlaku pendarahan tetapi kandungan platlet dalam badan saya semakin berkurang dari sehari ke sehari dan perkara ini agak merisaukan saya kerana saya teringat kembali kepada satu peristiwa yang berlaku kepada junior saya semasa di Sek. Men Imtiaz Dungun dulu. Pendarahan yang berlaku kepada si 'adik' ini yang pada awalnya disangka diserang denggi bertukar kepada penyakit lain yang lebih berbahaya. Alhamdulillah Allah s.w.t akhirnya mengembalikan semula kesihatan si 'adik' ini setelah berbulan-bulan cuti dan mendapat rawatan.
Bukan peristiwa tersebut saja yang berlegar-legar dalam kepala saya semasa sedang sakit, bahkan peristiwa yang pernah di alami oleh ummi kesayangan saya semasa mengandungkan anak ke-10. Ummi diserang demam panas-sejuk sebagaimana yang saya alami selama hampir lebih kurang 2 minggu tanpa diketahui puncanya. Ketika itu musim denggi yang teruk sedang menular di negara kita dan tentulah menjadi satu kerisauan yang amat membimbangkan bagi seorang ibu yang mengandung. Setelah hampir seminggu ditahan wad, barulah dapat dikenalpasti ummi mengalami demam kepialu yang merupakan wabak yang dikategorikan bahaya juga. Alhamdulillah setelah mendapat rawatan yang sewajarnya, ummi dan bayi dalam kandungannya kembali sihat.
Saya bernasib baik kerana tidak mengalami simptom-simptom yang teruk sepanjang demam dan tidak perlu ber'kampung' dalam wad.(walaupun pernah ditahan selama 2jam..). Terima kasih kepada pakcik dan makcik saya yang banyak membantu saya. Tak lupa juga buat k.cik Elly tersayang dan adik beradik yang lain yang banyak membantu memberikan sokongan moral.
Saya menyedari bahawa sepanjang semester ini, saya kerap mengalami masalah kesihatan yang sedikit sebanyak mengganggu proses pembelajaran saya kerana terpaksa 'absent' dari kelas. Lagi beberapa minggu saya bakal menghadapi final exam untuk semester pertama kuliah saya. Memikirkan beberapa subjek yang saya agak ketinggalan dan beberapa assignment yang masih belum selesai cukup menggusarkan saya. Namun saya menganggap segala ujian kesakitan yang Allah berikan kepada saya sebagai satu kaffarah atas dosa-dosa saya selama ini. Saya mengharapkan dengan ujian yang saya hadapi ini, akan lebih mematangkan diri saya menghadapi cabaran hidup sebagai hamba Allah, seorang pelajar dan anak di bumi ini.
Entri kali ini mungkin agak membosankan sebab saya sekadar berkongsi pengalaman hidup. Cumanya nasihat saya bagi sahabat-sahabat yang mengalami demam, jangan dipandang remeh dengan demam tersebut kerana mungkin natijah yang mendatang lebih teruk, siapa yang tahu?? Apa-apa pun, setiap ujian yang Allah berikan kepada kita anggaplah ia sebagai satu kaffarah atas dosa-dosa yang pernah kita lakukan dan ada hikmah tersendiri yang hanya Allah lebih mengetahui.
