Productivity and the year ahead

We are already half way through the first month of 2017 and the year is beginning to feel not so new anymore. Before we know it we will be half way through the year and then the end of year will be upon us in a flash. The question I am asking myself is how productive will this year be for me?

The Friday lecture rendered beautifully by a Moulana when I attended the Masjid 2 weeks ago focused on being productive. He spoke enthusiastically about how the life of a Muslim should be about progression. We should be making active attempts to be productive, in our societies as well as in our personal lives. He mentioned how important it is to be striving to better ourselves on all levels, social, physical, psychological and spiritual.

The lecture was lovely. The Moulana mentioned some Hadeeth (sayings or teachings of the Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him) something to the effect that a Muslim should be of benefit to others and also that we shouldn’t get caught up in self-pity and sadness. Instead we should accept what we cant change and be happy with what we have and we should be the best we can in all areas. He spoke about how our lives should not be static. We should never get caught up in a state where we have not progressed at all. If we are the same as we were last year then there is something wrong, he said. Because what sort of life is a life without growth.

I was inspired by this. It wasn’t the first time that I heard such talks, but sometimes at the right time something resonates with you. Or perhaps this particular Moulana was more motivational. My sister has also been on a quest towards productivity ever since we heard this lecture.

I have never believed in New Year’s resolutions, simply because I have always believed in continuous change and ongoing resolutions. Sometimes I fall short and find myself stuck in certain areas (I still haven’t managed to get as physically fit as I need to). Other times Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) I manage to achieve what I set out to do.

I believe that we should be passionate and motivated in all that we do, this way we are more likely to end up doing a good job at things. Clearly the teachings of Islam is in sync with this. So I have a lot that I want to improve this year Insha Allah (If Allah wills). I do not have a list of resolutions but I have a path towards becoming more productive, and this path is filled with various tasks.  I hope that at the end of this year I can say that I have achieved all that I wished, and maybe even more. I wonder about all of you. I would love to hear you tell me that you too have managed to accomplish everything that you have wished.

Let us work hard to make the best of each day, after all, we do not know how many days we have left.

Wishing you all a prosperous and productive year ahead!