Are You Looking For Balance In Your Life ? (Lifes Juggling Act)
By Sr Saiyyidah Zaidi, Founder - WorkingMuslim.comHave you ever thought about how busy your life is and ALL the things you do?
In this article the author provides 3 steps on how to avoid taking on too much and the keys to harmony in life.
1. Be realistic. You can’t approach work faith balance in the same way as you would want to do everything. Many of us would like that, but the reality is it isn’t that easy. As a goal, as long as you want to participate in various activities for the right reasons (based on Islamic principles) then there is no problem, but be realistic about it and don’t let it become stressful for you.
One of the biggest issues that faces all women is guilt- we feel guilty about not working hard enough, not having enough children, not cooking enough, the house isn’t tidy enough, I am not spending enough time in prayer etc. These are all things to think about but you are not super woman and don’t set yourself up to fail. Be realistic.
2. Define balance. Defining balance for you at the end of each day helps to give a measure as to whether your expectations are realistic. You know what a balanced scale of work, family, faith and society looks like for you so take a few minutes every day or every week and consider are you in balance? Are you happy?
I think that true balance is achievable but it depends on whether you are realistic about what you can do or not. Everyone’s definition of balance is specific to them- there is no one size fits all! And if you are happy and don’t want to change then don’t compare yourself to others, accept who you are!
3. Don’t confuse your balance. Many people try to be more balanced by taking on more and more, and taking away from the harmony of their balance of work, faith, family and society. You know what the right balance is for you and doing too much in one area requires a sacrifice in another. Being content with what you have in terms of your definition of balance is key, if you aren’t happy do something about it, but if you are then inshaAllah be content.
This leads me to a Hadith, Angel Jibril came to Prophet Muhammed (saws) and said:
‘O Messenger of Allah! Allah (swt) has sent you a gift which He has not given to anyone before. ‘Prophet Muhammed (saws) asked:’ What is that gift?’
Angel Jibril replied: ‘It is patience.’
But there is a virtue better than patience.
Prophet Muhammed (saws) asked: ‘What is it?’
Angel Jibril (Gabriel) replied: It is contentment.
Realising that your ability to achieve work faith balance comes from being realistic and defining what balance is for you is key to contentment. As set out above, we can’t all do everything, Allah has given us what we are due and perhaps the key to balance and contentment is remembering that harmony is ihsan and practising excellence in everything we do.
Saiyyidah Zaidi
Category: Time Mastery
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