Wow! You may have been hearing that time is speeding up. Seems entirely true when you realize there are only 16 days left in this year – counting today! Where did it go?
At the beginning of 2016, we offered a class on Setting Foundations for a Meaningful Life – a formula for living a life aligned with your spiritual beliefs. We spent some time looking at the heart’s yearning and setting some intentions for 2016.
As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time for review, reflection, introspection and gratitude.
If you have a minute, grab a pen and paper and answer the following questions…
REVIEW: Do you remember the intentions you set for this year? What were they?
Nothing that hits you could have missed you,
and nothing that misses you could have hit you.
~Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal
REFLECTION: How did you do? Did you maintain focus, or drop off as life got busy? Were there events that led your goals to shift?
Do not belittle any good deed,
even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.
~Prophet Muhammad, pbuh
INTROSPECTION: How is your heart feeling about the year you’ve lived? Please be loving, honest, merciful and gracious with yourself.
Allah looks neither at your pictures or your actions,
but He looks into your heart.
~Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal
CELEBRATE SUCCESSES: Small or large, acknowledge Allah and give thanks to Allah for working His miracles through you.
If a man finds himself in the morning: tranquil in his heart, healthy in his body,
and with food for the day, it is as if all of this world has been chosen for him.
~Prophet Muhammad, pbuh
GRATITUDE: List as many gratitudes as you can think of. Even if it wasn’t your best year ever, there are always things to be grateful for.
If you are grateful, I shall certainly increase you in favor.
Qur’an 14:7
Care to share your insights? We’d love to hear from you. Join us on the UOS Facebook page, and enter your comments under the post of this article.
With love and gratitude,
Mastura Graugnard on behalf of all your friends and family at UOS
Photo credits: Adobe Stock Photo (c) lily #90597168
