Advice for Youth (4)
The cumulative experience of life teaches us that, as Muslims, each of us must strive to please the Creator, even if it angers others who will never cease talking about you, no matter what you do.
Life is but a short story... Sometimes we are the heroes, and sometimes the victims. There are four things in life that you cannot retrieve: an opportunity once lost, a word once spoken, time once elapsed, and trust once broken.
This proverb holds a profound insight into human effort, which is essential for success in this life.
My retired, modestly endowed friend says he has always felt happy because he has accepted his provision, and because he is kind-hearted, building relationships without expecting or demanding anything in return. He also noted that expectations always cause pain, and life is short. He advised me, saying, “You must love your life and preserve your smile, no matter what happens. But remember these rules: before you speak, listen; before you spend, earn; before you judge, understand; before you give up, try. And most importantly, before you die, live your life.” As the Kuwaiti proverb goes, “Seize your time.”
Indeed, life is not easy. Know that you are weary, as are many others. Perhaps you are tired and on the verge of collapse, but there is strength within you, even when you feel weak. Keep fighting in this life.
Yes, nothing in this transient world is easy. If you want anything in life, you must engage in difficult battles. And when you lose, every loss becomes an important lesson from which we benefit in the unknown future.
The French writer Voltaire, apart from his plays, said, “The bravest decision you make every day is to be in a good mood.” This applies even more to our times, in a world that grows increasingly mad day by day.
Know that the Creator knows you better than anyone else. He knows the challenges of your life, your struggles, and your tears. He knows what has happened to you and what will happen, the positives and the negatives. He knows more about you than you know about yourself. Be confident that the Creator has not made any of us useless, and be sure that those who criticize you are not angels in this world.
Sometimes, we need difficult circumstances in our lives to understand who is around us: who is the enemy, who is the friend, who is the partner, and who is merely a passerby in our lives. Some leave us, leaving behind deep, unforgettable memories.
Know that life is a divine test. It consists of a day we are born and a day we die, with a period in between that offers opportunities to live, give, learn, love, and grow. Each day is like a gift or an event that may be filled with happiness or suffering. Yet, through it all, we have freedom of choice in many matters, and we may find happiness in small, simple things.
When you recount your story to others, sharing the milestones where you failed without shedding tears, know that you have healed, regardless of your current circumstances.
