Finding Proper Balance

The mind with its logic is sometimes overly emphasized, and “being emotional” equated with instability or weakness. Yet emotions are some of the most basic elements with which we build our lives and create physical, mental, and spiritual health. With emotional competency we can be resourceful and adept at solving problems, cope well with stress, enjoy healthy and fulfilling relationships, manage conflicts constructively, perform well in academic, creative, and career settings, and be resilient in the face of adversity.

It is no wonder that Islam is a way of life that brings to a focus the issue of mastering the self — whether it’s the Prophet’s wisdom about guarding our relationships (keeping them healthy and on the right track); learning to restrain anger; staying away from blaming and fault-finding; cultivating agreeable traits such as empathy, kindness, and tolerance; cleansing our selves of hatefulness, resentment, and envy — realizing that the mind and heart must work together harmoniously.

With our hands we can build; with our hands and mind we can design and build; with our hands, mind, and heart we can design and build and create a home where thoughts and feelings find their proper balance; where love and faith flourish