What's Your Why?

 "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Byrne

Here at Jeem we aim to inspire peace, purpose and productivity. The three are exquisitely connected but pose a bit of a chicken and egg dilemma: which one to focus on first?

We strongly feel that taking a step back to focus on purpose is the key to peace and productivity.

Regularly revisiting our personal WHY re-invigorates and has the power to make the mundane meaningful. Adding intention to anything and everything potentially converts it into devotion and worship. A sense of purpose becomes the building block, the cornerstone, the foundation of all subsequent actions.

Are we ready to look in the mirror?

 "Allah loves those who place their trust in Him." - Qur'an (3:159)

Last week we reflected upon the Hajj and overcoming negative thoughts. This week we take a closer look at perhaps the most powerful of tales from the Hajj backstory - the call to sacrifice Prophet Ismail.

We're all familiar with the vividly portrayed qur'anic story of Prophet Ibrahim facing the ultimate test of faith by being instructed to sacrifice his son. His acceptance of the divine decree coupled with Prophet Ismail's readiness to obey provide two standout examples of reliance upon Allah - tawakkul - in action.

The Hajj serves to strip away the ego and attachments and awakens the heart. Prophet Ibrahim's test was a manifestation of this: to relinquish attachment to everything he held dear other than Allah.

We too have the opportunity to use this blessed time in the holy month of Dhul Hijjah to introspect and examine our own attachments. 

Hurling pebbles at ourselves...

 "Don't sweat the small stuff and it's all small stuff." - Richard Carlson

Last week we reflected upon the Hajj being an awesome opportunity to learn to see the glass as half-full through perceived trials and challenges. This week we take a closer look at one of the most symbolic rituals of the pilgrimage - the stoning of Satan.

Ostensibly the act reflects the ordeal of Prophet Ibrahim as he was dissuaded from carrying out the ultimate sacrifice of his son, Prophet Ismail. The ritual is intense. I vividly recall the hustle and bustle, the noise and the passion on display as pilgrims pelt a representation of the devil.

I remember the words of our group leader who had encouraged us the night before to think of something we regretted or were remorseful over or that we wished to replace within ourselves with each pebble collected. In a sense, the hurling of the pebbles the following day thus represented the stoning of the devil within, the nafs al-ammarah and represented a choice to replace negativity with proactive positivity.

Hajj: Helping us to see the glass half-full

 "Surely with hardship comes ease." - Qur'an (94:6)

Last week we reflected upon the Hajj being a multi-sensory experience and a stepping stone towards developing the skill of 3D gratitude. This week we turn to the pilgrimage again as students looking towards a teacher. The subject this time is hardship, specifically dealing with adversity.

The origin story of the Hajj, featuring Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail and Lady Hajra is steeped in ordeals and breath-taking challenges. It's no surprise that so many of the rituals hark back to these three individuals. Their behaviour in tough times provides plenty of practical wisdom and inspiration.

Bottling up the spiritual essence of Hajj to make our lives more fragrant

 "If you are grateful I will give you more." - Qur'an (14:7)

The first of a weekly 4-part blog series reflecting on the Hajj (pilgrimage) in the lead up to Eid al-Adha. Despite being unable to physically participate in the rituals in these unprecedented times, how can we bottle up some of its spiritual essence to make our lives more fragrant?

This life is essentially a journey from Allah to Allah and a stripping back of the ego. The Hajj serves a concentrated crash course in both. Yet the lessons gleaned from Hajj live on long after completing that final tawaf.

The process of reliving, re-inhabiting and stepping back into powerful memories as if we were there again is a life-changing way to be express gratitude. We call it 3D gratitude as it enhances the 1D process of lip-service as well as the 2D process of heartfelt thanks to a total sensory embodiment of thankfulness.

We could all channel a little more Prophet Yaqub in our lives

As both a son and a father, Fathers Day takes on a particular poignancy. As a dad myself I frequently revisit my own experiences of being on the receiving end of some epic fathering with a view to distilling these best bits in to my own practice. 

“In Joseph and his brethren were signs for those who ask questions.” - (12:7 - Holy Qur'an)

Learning from your own dad is by the by but little did I think that I'd be taking life lessons on fatherhood from one of the archetypal Qur'anic father figures - Prophet Yaqub (Jacob). This Ramadan on the encouragement of a friend I began listening to the truly inspiring tafsir series on Surah Yusuf by Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan. What particularity stood out was the wealth of wisdom that he shared from a surgical dissection of just a couple of the early verses from the chapter covering the interaction between Prophet Yaqub and his young son Yusuf.

Discover the power of a morning routine

"Don’t count the days; make the days count." ― Muhammad Ali

Is it really possible to set the tone for a day? To follow a pattern that leads to better outcomes more often than not?

The short answer is: yes. The long answer is: yes, absolutely.

It's abundantly clear that "successful" individuals in fields spanning from the spiritual to sales have some form of morning routine.

However, it takes honesty, reflection and action to implement. Perhaps the biggest tension we face is the underlying suspicion that routine eradicates spontaneity and no spontaneity means no fun.

What does a morning routine look like?

There's no "one size fits all" approach but extensive reading, conversations and encounters has revealed several common themes.

Why journaling is good for your mind, body and soul

Professor Robert Emmons, a psychologist at UC Davis, author of Gratitude Works and world leading scientific expert on gratitude makes the bold claim in his book that keeping a gratitude journal can result in a 25% boost in happiness.

Not only that, individuals who keep a journal in which they are thankful benefit from up to 90 minutes more sleep per night and 33% more exercise.

Why not make a start right here, right now and pause to reflect on three gifts you're grateful to have been granted in your life?