Two fish were swimming when they saw a piece of meat dangling before them. The younger fish darted toward it with an open mouth. The older fish cried out, “Stop! You can’t see it, but there is a hook inside that meat. It is connected by an invisible line to a pole outside the water. …
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, …
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “Indeed, Allah loves it when any one of you acts, so let him perfect it” (al-Bayhaqi in Shoua’ab al-Eman). Striving toward perfection in our daily actions is easy for us to talk about, but many find it difficult to to change for the better. Have you ever tried …
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit.” If we want to fill our hearts with sincerity, we must empty them of dishonesty, untrustworthiness, carelessness, deceit — all things that defile the soul. This is …
True compatibility is essential to a loving and thriving marriage. More than just similar background, education, or even marriage vision and life goals, true compatibility along with mutual understanding and trust, facilitates the complete surrendering of hearts within marriage. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Souls are like recruited soldiers – whichever get acquainted …
A man and the carpenter he had hired were restoring an old farmhouse and had just finished a rough first day on the job. Everything that could go wrong did, and at the end of the day the carpenter’s pickup truck refused to start. The man told him he would drive him home and on …
Marriage requires the willingness to grow, and at times, change some behavior or habit that negatively impacts the health and vitality of the marriage relationship. What better demonstrates a devotion to the spouse than learning to be more patient, becoming a better listener, being more considerate, or whatever it takes to contribute positively to the …
Some people talk a lot. Some too much. Talking all the time, as a habit, keeps a person oriented outward and the inner life is neglected. Yet, it’s the domain of the inner life where we can consider what effect our words might have, how they might produce positive or negative feelings in others, how …
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed every day for God to bring rescue and desperately scanned the horizon for help, but rescue seemed more and more a remote possibility. He finally built a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and …
Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s situation, feelings, attitudes, or motives. An important aspect of emotional intelligence, empathy is essential to the establishing of healthy and satisfying relationships. There are many ways to cultivate empathy. One way is the following: In your thoughts and attitudes, emphasize the commonalities you have …