Alhamdulilah. Translation: praise be to God. It is an Arabic expression of relief that Muslims use to thank God for the good and the bad. I can never say it enough. There is just so much to be thankful for, even when life isn’t pretty. I think it is essential to sit down with yourself every now and then to reflect and reevaluate your intentions. Write down a list of things you are thankful for. It sounds silly, but I promise you just acknowledging these blessings will change the way you think about every day things.
One thing my mind always jumps to when I think of my blessings is being able to breathe with such ease. How effortlessly my body inhales and exhales. I don’t even have to think about it. Imagine if breathing was something we had to manually do. Not everyone is as fortunate. Some people have to be hooked up to a machine just to be able to breathe. It’s just something we easily take for granted. Obviously I’m grateful for things most people are: roof over my head, food on my table, and my family. I’m thankful for my daughter and baby on the way. I’m thankful that I’m able to have kids. We overlook these things. But we have to remember that these things and abilities are blessings that deserve appreciation.
We tend to look at people who are wealthier and more successful than we are as a means of motivation and aspiration. There is nothing wrong with wanting either of those things. We all want better for ourselves and our families. But I feel that it is even more important to look at people who aren’t as fortunate. It really humbles you and helps keep you grounded to the more important things in life. It’s all about perspective.
It is so easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of life. I mentioned this in a recent Instagram post, so I apologize if this is repetitive. We have to train our minds to see the good in things. It’s undoubtedly easier said than done, especially when you’re having a bad day or going through a rough patch. And that doesn’t mean you should ignore life’s not so pleasant situations. It’s about approaching a situation that may initially seem negative in a more productive way. Being positive is a way of life and a matter of perspective. It can help pave the way to making other good habits become a part of your daily life.
I believe everything is God’s will. That’s what helps get me through bad times. He wouldn’t burden me with something I couldn’t handle. His plan is bigger than I am and it gives me comfort knowing that whatever happens is for my own good. In Islam, we believe that there are three ways to express gratefulness. The first way is through your heart, which goes back to intentions and appreciation. The second way is through your tongue, expressing praise for God like saying the word Alhamdulilah. And lastly, through physical actions, doing good and benefiting humanity. This is what I’m living my life by and what helps me to be a more grateful person.
There is also lots of scientific evidence proving that being grateful has many physical and psychological benefits. It is an overlooked habit that could have a huge impact on the quality of your life. The benefits range from being able to sleep better, to improving your self-esteem and mental strength. It’s free and we all have access to it, so why not try to practice it more often? It just might cause a shift in your perspective. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-Melody Beattie