How to Increase Your Income: An Invitation to Growth

By Ahsan

In the quest to increase your earnings, consider the tale of a young man who approached a moneylender, seeking solace in a loan. "Why do you seek this aid?" the moneylender inquired. With honesty, the young man confessed, "I am bound by obligations, struggling to meet my family's needs." The wise moneylender replied, "Reflect deeply, my friend. To surpass your burdens, you must first elevate your worth, for borrowing blindfolds the spirit to future opportunities."

Fortuitously, the young man received a small loan that day—modest in amount, yet powerful as a seed of potential.

Not long before, he had stumbled upon a transformative course in his vocation, one led by a seasoned master whose craft shone with success. Rather than satiate immediate wants, he chose to invest in this opportunity, propelled by the belief that true wealth lies not in borrowed coins but in acquired knowledge.

The course unfolded over three days, illuminating pathways to prosperity. At its conclusion, the young man brimmed with exhilaration, for within him stirred a newfound spirit of possibility.

Now it was time to act on the newfound ways and means.

He embraced each day’s tasks with fervor, honing his skills and nurturing an unwavering persistence. The fruits of his labour began to flourish; circumstances shifted, opportunities emerged, and in a mere two months, he returned to the moneylender, paying off his modest debt with gratitude.

As the sun charted its course across the sky, so too did the young man's fortunes rise, multiplying fivefold within a year and continuing to ascend ever higher.

Reflect upon this parable, dear reader, and let it resonate within your being.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," declared the great philosopher Seneca.

Thus, if you desire greater wealth, invest wholeheartedly in yourself. Seek mentors who illuminate the path, learning their wisdom, and let your actions echo their insights, for “Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire,” as the esteemed author Arnold H. Glasow so aptly stated.

To unlock the doors of abundance, immerse yourself in the pursuit of knowledge. Cultivate your skills until you stand unrivalled in your craft.

Challenge the notion of limits and refuse to settle for less. Embrace the quest for excellence, for in the journey, you shall transcend mediocrity.

As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus proclaimed, "Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."

What do you really want?

Nurture your potential; rise on the wings of relentless effort and unwavering focus.

As you climb the mountain of personal growth, remember: the summit is not merely a destination but a continual pursuit. There, at the pinnacle, awaits your reward — the realization of your truest self and the wealth that flows from your enhanced capabilities.

Take this invitation boldly, and let no shadow of doubt reside in your heart. Pursue your passions, hone your talents, and ascend toward the riches of your dreams. For the time is now, and the mountain beckons. Get after it, and do not look back!

Have An Awesome Day!

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With The Passage of Time...

By Shazad

“All I know time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day, the clock ticks life away.”

‘In the End’, Song by Linkin Park

It’s early morning, about an hour before sunrise, and I am offering my pre-dawn prayers as I listen to the clock ticking in my home office. I am reciting various prayers in Arabic and also appreciating how special this moment is as it merges into the next. One second at a time. The quiet and steady ticking of my wall clock seems to grow louder as I get older, and I believe I know why.

When we are younger, we have a vague sense of time and the clock is mostly a nuisance that reminds us things like it’s time to go to school, or it’s time to eat lunch, or the dreaded one, bedtime! We mostly don’t hear or just plain ignore the ticking clocks at home, at school, and anywhere else that annoying mechanical sound happens to be. We are full of energy, dreams, and time!

As we grow older, we realize there are some limits to how much we can enjoy our days. How often can we sleep in, and what is it like to trade time for money? I’m talking about getting a job, earning money, and then spending it all just before the next pay cheque hits the bank. It’s simply another game involving time, our efforts, and the world we live in. The clock seems louder, constantly reminding us when lunch breaks end and it’s time to finish that assignment, or the boss will be all over us about an incomplete project.

As mature adults with families, we really start to notice that annoying hum or buzz of every clock in the room. It’s as if they are following us around! Some produce a whirring sound, and others constantly beep as seconds march forward in a seemingly endless flow of tiny soldiers. It’s around this time that we realize some important things, like I’m middle-aged and I have serious responsibilities with people relying on me every day to do the right thing at the right time! Suddenly, time is very front and centre in our minds, and we think about it more than ever before. Things like investing for retirement, life insurance, and leaving a legacy come to mind. We think about how much time remains before our parents and other elders pass away. We imagine how great our youth was, with so much time and energy. We even notice our kids getting bigger, older, smarter, and moving a little farther away from us as they create their own journey through time. It’s all becoming very tangible and visceral. Time is no longer just a vague concept or a nice idea. It’s a very key dimension of our existence and the measure of everything we hold dear, because TIME is the only thing we can’t create more of! TIME is literally passing by as you read this and absorb the message of this post.

As I finished my early morning prayers, I turned my face to the right and left and sent blessings of Peace and God’s Mercy in both directions. I remain sitting and express gratitude for this gift of understanding, awareness, and most importantly, TIME! Meanwhile, the constant ticking of my clock is heard in the background, and the hint of a new dawn begins to appear outside my window. I cherish this moment as one of many I’ve had in the early morning hours, and I start a new day because it’s about time!

Have An Awesome Day!

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How You Can Guarantee Being Unhappy and What to Do Instead

By Ahsan

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Muhammad Ali

We all have a natural desire to be happy. How do we know this? Well, our choices, decisions, and dreams are often guided by what brings us joy and pleasure. Generally, the things we chase in life are aimed at achieving happiness and steering clear of anything that causes us pain or displeasure.

In essence, every action we take and every desire we nurture is centred around attaining a sense of well-being—or, in other words, happiness. This understanding can shed light on our motivations and help us empathize with others, as everyone shares this universal quest for pleasure while avoiding suffering.

But what about pain? Isn’t it simply the absence of happiness?

Interestingly, there’s a straightforward way to cultivate unhappiness, restlessness, or discontent: focusing entirely on yourself. Whether you’re dwelling on past grievances or worrying about the future, immersing yourself in self-centred thoughts can trap you in a cycle of negativity. You might find yourself ruminating about why certain events unfolded or how others are treating you, which inevitably leads to feelings of despair.

So, what’s the antidote to this self-imposed misery?

Consider this: instead of getting lost in your thoughts, seek opportunities to be helpful to others. Offering assistance to friends, family, or even volunteering for strangers can lead to a remarkable transformation. There’s a unique kind of joy that arises when you shift your focus from yourself to the well-being of others.

As the famous author and speaker Viktor Frankl once said,

“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”

By recognizing that your happiness often follows acts of kindness and service, you can build a more fulfilling life.

At the end of the day, everyone grapples with some form of unhappiness or challenge. By lending a helping hand, an encouraging smile, or simply acknowledging someone’s existence, you can alleviate their moment of sadness.

In this spirit of service, we not only uplift others but also nurture our joy. As the renowned theologian Henri Nouwen expressed, “The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there.” When we empathize and connect through our shared experiences, we remind ourselves of our potential for happiness.

If we consciously adopt this mindset of stepping out of our heads to focus on helping others, we can cultivate a perpetual state of well-being and happiness. Remember, fixating on oneself can lead to unhappiness, regret, and fear.

Instead, consider letting go of controlling everything and surrendering to a higher power, serving others in the process. By doing so, you’ll discover the path to genuine happiness and contentment.

Have An Awesome Day!

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Get MAD Daily for Awesome Health!

By Shazad

“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.”

Thomas Carlyle

Do you want to be healthy? Would you like to have a strong and lean body? How about a sharp mind that continues to work well as you age? The answer for everyone I know is a resounding “YES!”. In this article, we’ll find out some strategies to do this by referring to the Amazing Health chapter in the Awesome Life book.

It’s so confusing to figure out what’s healthy, how to exercise, and how much effort is required to actually get and then stay healthy. I’m here to simplify some things for you so you can be clear, have a simple plan, and develop consistency.

First, ignore the government food guides, the hype on TV, and most of the fitness influencers with their magical smoothies and ‘superfoods’ on the Internet. Get back to basics and do what humans have been doing for thousands of years. What’s that you say? Eat real food whose ingredients you know and do this at least 80% of the time. The other 20% of the time you can indulge in processed food. Next, make the 80% good food you eat as nutritious as possible and make it look Awesome! What we call MAD. That stands for Massive - Awesome - Delicious! Make great salad bowls with the most colourful vegetables and fruits you like to eat and top off with the tastiest proteins you enjoy from chick peas to grilled chicken, beef, or fish. Use the best Olive oil you can find and enjoy frequently! Make all your meals as colourful and nutrient-rich as possible. This doesn’t mean they have to be calorie bombs as a lot of real food that is minimally processed is low calorie in nature while being full of the required minerals, vitamins, proteins, and flavour you crave! When you do eat, make it a social thing at least one meal a day. Eat with family. Eat with friends or peers at work. Just don’t eat alone any one day. The act of eating and enjoying great food with others cannot be understated. Great for your mind and body when you gather around the table for some great tasting and healthy food.

Second, make sure you move your body daily. Go for 15-minute walks at least twice a day. If it’s safe, do some brisk walking or even running once or twice a week for about 5-10 minutes on a soft surface like a grassy field or sandy beach. Get your heart rate up until you can’t talk, then return to a normal pace of walking or cycling. You don’t need hours of cardio each week, but you do need to keep moving, and you should be able to sustain a fast walk, run, or cycle for 5 minutes once a week. Don’t stop there. Pick up and put down moderately heavy objects. Yes, I mean strength training with your body, bands, or weights in a gym. Focus on 4-5 exercises total, such as pushing, pulling, squatting, hinging, and stretching. Basic exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, bodyweight squats, deadlifts, lunges, and flys are easy to find proper form for online. Look these up and do them twice a week with 1-2 days of rest in between. You don’t have to lift heavy or do much, but you must do everything slowly and smoothly, then finish. Take your breaks between sets and repeat. When planned well, a quick 20-30 minute strength training session can be very effective. Doing two of these weekly, gradually increasing reps and weights, will make your body stronger, leaner, and most definitely awesome! If you need coaching or help creating a program tailored for you, consider hiring a personal trainer for 3-6 months and follow their plan exactly to see results. You can’t keep changing programs and expect significant progress, so find a suitable one and stick with it for at least three months but no longer than six before making major adjustments.

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Benjamin Franklin

Third, lock in your gains and maximize the benefits of all that healthy eating (80% of the time) and those workouts (twice a week) with daily walking. Go to sleep on a consistent schedule such as 10 pm and wake up no later than 8 pm every single day. It’s very easy and often neglected, but it’s critical if you want to see results. You can’t grow if you don’t rest, and sleep is the time when the mind and body do their cleanup and repair process, so you are a better human being during the daytime. Your nutritional needs, digestion, and thinking abilities all change depending on how well you rest at night, so focus on getting the best possible sleep every day. This is even more important for those 40-plus who want to avoid the various lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, blood sugar/insulin sensitivity, and heart conditions. Sleep is such a big factor in healthy ageing and keeping diseases away that it cannot be understated. Give up your FOMO and stop talking to your friends online or in person after 9 p.m., at least six days a week.

“Those who believe, and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Aye! it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort”

Holy Quran (13:29)

Incorporate prayers in the morning (pre-dawn) and night (after sunset) to further enhance your soul by expressing gratitude, asking for help, and seeking wisdom from the Creator. Our souls need exercise as well, and spending some time reflecting throughout the day and offering prayers is an excellent way to nourish your soul. Start your nightly wind-down and aim to be asleep by 10 p.m. for optimal rest and recovery. Perform prayers and go to sleep on time consistently, and over a month you’ll feel like a different person. A better and more competent person with better health, God Willing!

The advice above is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official medical or official health advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional and fitness coaches for the best guidance tailored to your specific situation.

My goal was to offer a general overview of key points to consider and share some practical strategies I used to stay fit and maintain that for over 10 years. Your circumstances may be different, but I believe the principles mentioned will generally apply, and the individual actions can be adapted to fit each person's schedule, physical abilities, and preferences. Always remember to look after yourself—mind, body, and soul. Don’t let time pass without self-reflection and a commitment to take even small steps each day to improve your situation. If we all aimed to be just 1% better every day, we could significantly transform our lives in positive ways.

Live Awesome!

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Are You Dead But Just Don’t Know It?

By Ahsan

“I’m reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose.”

Kobe Bryant

Are you feeling a bit stuck, as if you’re merely going through the motions?

Here Are Concerning Signs:

- You may have given up on some of your dreams.

- Challenging yourself with new experiences might have taken a backseat.

- The sense of wonder you once had seems to have faded.

- Your health might not feel up to par, perhaps even below a 5/10.

- You sense something is off, but finding out what it is doesn’t seem to matter much.

You’re certainly not alone; all of us experience this funk from time to time.

The good news is that conscious awareness can help you rediscover that zest for life, boosting your mojo, adding a skip to your step, and igniting that sparkle in your eyes.

How to Find Your Purpose:

Start with a simple yet profound question: What is my purpose in life today?

Reflect on what comes to mind right now.

Here are some areas that might inspire you or remind you of your purpose:

- Unfulfilled personal goals

- Improving relationships with the people who matter most

- Achieving financial comfort for you and your loved ones

- Pursuing hobbies that bring you joy

- Exploring places both near and far

- Creating lasting memories to cherish

- Cultivating a spiritual connection with your Creator

- Prioritizing mental well-being

- Becoming the best version of yourself

Any or all of these aspects can ignite that much-needed spark.

Remember, you are here for just a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things!

Don’t you want to feel like you’re truly living, rather than just existing?

This is the notion of “being dead but not knowing it” that I’m talking about— a decaying mind, body and spirit, a weak sense of direction and a drying up of dreams that once mattered to you.

As Oscar Wilde wisely said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

Why Not Do The Exercise Described Today:

All you have to do is take one hour to sit down with yourself and use an old-fashioned pen and paper to write down what comes to mind.

There is magic in writing down your thoughts because it brings things to life. Pun intended.

Let’s commit ourselves to this beautiful journey called life and infuse it with greater purpose.

Just as a gardener tends to their plants with care and dedication, nurturing them to grow and flourish, we too can cultivate a life filled with vibrancy.

The action of planting the seeds of purpose today will cause a well-lived life tomorrow!

Have An Awesome Day!

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Success Is A Choice

By Shazad

We all seek it, dream about it, and even pray for it. We sincerely and anxiously want to become successful, and why not?! Success is not some random chance event or something that must be inherited from a wealthy relative. Success is up to you and me. I’m no astrologer and I personally don’t believe in stars or planets defining my course in life. I do believe in personal choices and responsibility. There are some things we can and must do if we want to achieve success. I’ll show you one possible path you can follow.

Step 1: Definition

In competitive sports, a goal must be known to score a point and WIN the game. The same is true with your success in life. How do you define success in your own words? What does it look like and feel like? Is it a certain bank balance, free time, a healthy family, or something else? Be very clear what it means and write it out in some detail. Look at your definition daily until you achieve it.

Step 2: Why Does it Matter?

Before you go on a big life-changing journey to pursue your success, figure out WHY you want the success you defined in Step 1. What’s wrong with the way you are living today? Knowing your WHY will help anchor your actions with a greater purpose that will motivate you. If your WHY is not strong enough, you will give up at the very start. It’s a good habit to write down your WHY and look at it daily, so you know what you are chasing.

Step 3: Sacrifices

What will you give up, delay, or otherwise ignore in pursuit of your success? Will you invest the time, money, and attention needed each day? Are you willing to work a little longer or eat better? How about saving money instead of spending all your income on luxuries and entertainment as soon as you get the paycheck? You have to know yourself and what you are willing to sacrifice from the very start. This self-awareness and discipline will help you stay on track when things get difficult or feel like a struggle. You will stumble and feel like giving up along the way. We all have moments like that. Remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place.

There’s no get-rich-quick plan to achieving success and keeping it. Even if there were, you probably wouldn’t enjoy that kind of success because there needs to be some sacrifice in every positive outcome. Nothing meaningful comes easily. When you become clear on what you truly want to achieve, why you want it, and what you are willing to delay or give up, the path becomes very clear. The success you want is more likely to happen as a result. No lottery tickets or alignment of the planets are needed to make your Life Awesome!

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Chasing the Dream: The Lottery of Life and the Hole-in-One Experience!

By Ahsan

I'm lucky because on June 30, 2025, when I least expected it, I got a hole-in-one!

I was golfing with my high school buddy Eman at our usual course. It was hole number 9, a simple par 3 with a bunker on the right and left and 110 yards away. We had faced off at this hole at least a hundred times before.

I had the task of at least hitting my ball onto the green, as my buddy did, who had landed his ball close to the flag for a tap-in.

So there I was, aiming for the green. I set up like my favourite golfer, Moe Norman, and put my swing on the ball.

I'm telling you that ball of mine flew beautifully into the air, hit the front of the green, and started its onward roll. My friend was cheering the ball into the hole.

He started yelling, "It's going in!" I casually looked at it, tracking down the pin, and suddenly, the ball disappeared from the green and into the hole!

I could hardly believe my eyes, and I didn't until I saw it waiting for me to pick it up out of the hole!

Holy Canoli! I did it—my very first experience of getting a hole in one.

We celebrated the moment and let the pro shop know about my good fortune.

They will be giving me a certificate to frame, and yes, I kept the ball because one thing is for sure: getting a hole in one is golf's most prized experience! It reminds me of how much good luck one can have in life!

They say there is a 1 in 12000 chance of an amateur golfer getting a hole-in-one. Given that most courses usually have four holes, you might have a chance of getting it, you would need to play 3000 games of golf, and for most golfers, that is easily a lifetime of playing!

So getting a hole in one is almost impossible and is a once-in-a-lifetime thing—it's a combination where preparation meets serendipity—technical skill marries happenstance—and Lady Luck embraces you with her arms and all three strike together in one glorious moment!

That hole-in-one experience and the game of golf are a lot like life!

No matter how hard life can be or how challenging it is, there are moments when you realize how lucky you are out of the blue!

Focus and Mindset: We need to remind ourselves to be positive.

In golf, maintaining focus and a positive mindset can greatly influence performance. Similarly, cultivating a hopeful perspective can lead to better outcomes, helping us navigate uncertainty with grace.

The Element of Chance: Achieving a hole-in-one is rare, highlighting luck's role in golf and life. Sometimes, opportunities arise unexpectedly, proving that good fortune is crucial to our experiences.

In these ways, the unpredictability of life and golf share a common thread, reminding us to embrace the journey and find joy and a bit of good luck that can happen to anyone!

Live Awesome!

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What is the Best Movie You Ever Watched?

By Ahsan

“Story as it turns out was crucial to our evolution – more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.”

Lisa Cron

For me, it's a tie between The Godfather and Star Wars. Both classics from the 1970s have left an indelible mark on my imagination. When I watch them, I don't just observe the story—I become part of it. I feel as if I am young Vito Corleone, navigating the complexities of power, or Luke Skywalker, venturing into a galaxy far, far away.

A truly great film immerses you completely. For those few hours, you live and breathe the story as though it's your own reality. You experience the plot, the twists, the emotions, and the characters so deeply that the line between reality and the illusion created by the film blurs. Yet, here's the crux: while you are caught up in the narrative, you always know you are watching a movie—it feels real, but it's not.

Now, consider the movie of your own life. It's a grand drama filled with highs and lows, unexpected twists, and a cast of characters who influence your story in significant ways. But do you genuinely take this personal movie as your reality? Or could it be that there's a larger director behind the scenes, shaping it all?

Imagine for a moment that there's a divine director orchestrating your personal movie. Your thoughts and perceptions create an illusion of reality that seems entirely yours, yet it exists within a broader, divine narrative. By letting go of rigid personal thinking, you can begin to appreciate that there is a magnificent story unfolding.

In every twist and turn of your life, remember that this Divine Director is in control. He determines the plot, the characters, the climax, and the thrilling conclusion. If you yearn for happiness, it's vital to grasp this truth: your life is a beautiful illusion crafted by your perceptions. No two people experience this extraordinary film the same way—each journey is unique!

So take a moment to reflect on this concept. Embrace the idea that you are not merely an actor in your life, but a character within a divine narrative.

Have An Awesome Day!

Live Awesome!

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SHIFT Happens!

By Shazad

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Alan Watts

Change is all around us. It seems to be speeding up for many folks these days. Economic concerns, political changes, Artificial Intelligence, and Climate Change… everything is so dynamic and changing everywhere you look! How is anyone supposed to make sense of the world anymore, and how is a person supposed to exist at a time like this?

The bad news first. It’s going to be challenging, and there are no simple answers. Only tradeoffs, daily habits, and a mindset shift can take some of the anxiety out of all the changes.

Let’s start with the mindset first. Change is going to happen. It’s just part of life, and it’s always been this way. Generations of people have felt the pace of change, and many were overwhelmed by things in the past, like the Industrial Revolution, the World Wars, the Great Depression, and the switch from horses pulling cars to 200+ Horsepower vehicles zooming down the streets every second. If you tune your mind to the fact that human beings have successfully faced changes in the past and sometimes very dramatic changes, you can appreciate that we all can manage the pace of change in modern times, too! It’s possible, necessary, and an opportunity for growth.

Another key point to realize is that you have agency in many parts of your life despite all the external changes. What you and I do when we wake up, what we choose to eat, the programs we watch, the people we talk to, and the attitude we bring to each new day are not just random or programmed. We can consciously choose how we show up and behave in this constantly evolving and sometimes turbulent world. It’s been that way for people in the past, and it’s still true today. It just requires conscious awareness of yourself and your environment rather than living passively or reactively. Make active choices about some aspects of your day. It can be as simple as the clothes you chose to wear today or saying no to TV/media and alcohol. A lot of life is about tradeoffs and decisions we personally make. These shape our lives bit by bit, and make our personal transformation more intentional which leads to a more manageable life. As long as you have the option for what to eat, drink, wear, worship, and think, you are free! Exercise your freedom daily!

The third key idea to unpack is related to making choices. It’s about your daily routines from the time you wake up to the time you retire for sleep. The world will try to mould you into living a certain way. Your job or school will demand a certain amount of structure and compliance with a schedule as well. Perhaps your family needs a certain amount of your fixed time each day. That’s all part of the game. In between and along the path are moments where you can decide to do or not do something. You can choose to say “I get to do this” vs “I have to do this”. When you are more willing to accept your responsibilities and you tailor at least part of your day to things you want to do and that you enjoy doing, you gain some freedom. You get to surf the wave of changes instead of being drowned by them all the time. Learn to swim, and that deluge of water hitting your body won’t be so scary all the time. Practice your balance, and getting back up again when you do fall will give you confidence in life.

There are so many things we cannot change or stop from changing. There are ways we can think about, adjust to, and prepare for when change does happen. Realizing this and acting on these ideas as I’ve described above will give you the tools to navigate your journey in the best way. Who knows…maybe you will start looking forward to changes more often and keep levelling up as a result of all the changes in your life.

Live Awesome!

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Achieving Lifelong Happiness

By Shazad

“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

We all seek to be happy and live in such a state. Everyone is pursuing this goal to some degree or other, it seems. But what does it mean, and how can you sustainably do this instead of the hedonistic and materialistic way that is marketed on social media? Let’s take a look at some advice from the Awesome Life book, Chapter 11 titled “Pursuit of Happiness”.

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”

Epictetus

Money Can’t Buy Happiness?

Like most people, you probably jumped to having more cash, gold, bitcoin, and wealth in general. Seems natural to think that if you had more money, you could be happier. The reality is that after a certain amount of income and savings, it doesn’t matter how much you make or have in the bank. The proof is in seeing the lives of the ultra wealthy vs those who are comfortable in life but are not billionaires, and many of the happiest people are not even millionaires! They are just content living their lives on their terms with little or no debt and having good relationships. Very wealthy people like the top billionaires of the world have a lot of responsibilities and attention focused on them all the time. Such ultra-wealthy and even moderately rich people need constant security and special handlers to get through their day safely and with sanity.

The truly happy people in the world focus on health, some free time, great relationships, and giving back to society in some way. They don’t aspire to “Have Everything” or “Own the Best”. They are content with a few nice things and mostly average things like reliable cars, quality shoes, and good education. The happiest people tend to be minimalists in the way they think, live, and work. Their calendars aren’t full of things to do, and they don’t constantly check their bank account or business revenues to make sure they are still on some elite list of wealthy people. Being content in life certainly requires a certain amount of wealth, but a lot less than most people imagine! The bonus of having and maintaining good health is that you don’t need to spend significant money fixing diseases and getting treatment for lifestyle-related conditions. That means more money and time left over to enjoy the things you love! Truly Priceless!

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of the earth."

Henry David Thoreau

Happiness from Nature

Do you remember those days or even an afternoon in nature? That time you went to the park by the lake with the family and had a great time as you ate outside and played some sports? You felt amazing in the moment and then tired but grateful when you got home. That same evening was the best sleep you’ve had in years, and the next day you woke up a different person. That’s the power of being in nature. It’s healing and energizing in the right ways as much as it challenges you with the sun, air, and water. It’s truly a happy day when we can spend time outside at a local park or camping in a conservation area for a few days. Happy people get outside often and enjoy their time while they are experiencing nature.

“Thereby does Allah guide those who seek His pleasure on the paths of peace, and leads them out of every kind of darkness into light by His will, and guides them to the right path.”

Holy Quran 5:17

Happiness from Conscious Effort

The sad reality is that we’re not always going to be happy. Life has challenges and unexpected twists that derail even our best-laid plans. We will experience hardship, struggle, and maybe suffering at times. The good news is that we can choose to frame these moments as temporary, growth opportunities and even necessary for radical life changes we may need to make. It’s easy to play the “Victim” card, and many do. The brave and truly happy ones figure out what lesson the hardship offers. Where can we correct our course on our journey, and what choices are we making to get through this difficult time? By focusing on what’s in our power and what’s NOT up to us, we can figure out a way forward that makes sense for us. We have to keep trying to seek meaning and understanding in life to be truly happy, vs. floating around like a rubber ducky in the ocean of existence. Our inner Sea Hawk inspires us to take charge of our life and our mood to make the most of the way things turn out.

One of the best ways to sustain your happiness is to create your personal Top 10 List of things that make you happy. Write out each one on a small piece of paper like an index card or business card, and carry this with you everywhere you go. The next time you are lacking in joy, take out your Top 10 List and smile. Go one step further and express gratitude for those happy things that are still in your life, as well as some of the things you look forward to. Being grateful is essential for your happiness and mental well-being because Happiness and Gratitude have an Awesome connection to each other. One nourishes the other in a virtuous cycle that never ends. Like two sides of the same lucky coin, you become happier when you are more grateful and as a result, you express more gratitude for your happy life!

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How To Drop Your Negative Past

By Ahsan

“It is not things that upset us, but our judgments about things."

Epictetus

In the heart of the wilderness, a group of hunters had set up camp and were eager to meet the next day to find deer. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they gathered around to boil water in a kettle, oblivious to the lessons nature was about to unfold.

Suddenly, the rustling of leaves interrupted their chatter and caused an alertness within them to stir. It wasn't long before a curious bear walked into their campsite, drawn by the dancing lid of the kettle.

The bear was determined to grasp the kettle, scalding its paws on the hot metal. Rather than releasing its painful grip, the bear’s instinct to hold on kicked in, and with each agonizing second, it only tightened its embrace. The tragic irony? This stubborn bear, in its struggle against pain, only sealed its own fate, ultimately becoming a victim of the very thing it clung to.

This illustrative tale, often recounted in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, serves as a powerful reminder to those in recovery: the boiling kettle symbolizes the burdens we hold onto—beliefs, fears, and regrets—that, if not released, can burn us from within.

Emmett Fox once said, “There is no greater sin than the sin of self-condemnation.” How often do we, like the bear, cling to our past mistakes or negative thoughts, convinced that letting go would be far more painful? We are much wiser than a bear, are we not?

If we touched a hot kettle, our instinct would cause us to pull back, to release our grip.

True wisdom lies in recognizing that we are not defined by our negative thoughts or the burdens we carry.

In Islam, this verse is beautifully articulated: “And He (Allah) will pardon them, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Qur'an 3:135). This verse encourages us to embrace forgiveness, not just from others but especially from ourselves. It underscores the freedom that comes with letting go of past grievances and negative beliefs.

So, as you navigate the ups and downs of life, keep this lesson from the bear in mind. The next time you find yourself caught in a cycle of unproductive thinking or overwhelming emotions, picture that boiling kettle and have the courage to let it go.

Reflect on the burdens you're holding onto—what boiling kettles are you stubbornly embracing?

Isn’t it time to let go? Embrace the wisdom within you, and like the hunters who learned from the bear’s fate, strive to liberate yourself from those self-imposed chains. After all, we are only human, and it is perfectly normal to experience a whirlwind of thoughts. Recognizing that these thoughts are fleeting empowers us to release them, just as the bear should have released the kettle.

Letting go is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our strength and resilience. So, drop those kettles and make space for the freshness of growth, lasting healing, and a brighter tomorrow.

Live Awesome!

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It's OK to be Tired But Not "Expired"

By Shazad

“Your soul takes on the colour of your thoughts.”

Marcus Aurelius

Life is challenging, and aging impacts us all, especially those in the 40 and above age group. Sometimes, you simply don’t have the energy to maintain your daily routine and complete all your tasks. I want to reassure you that it’s okay to feel this way and even normal sometimes.

I view myself as an active person with good routines and habits that I follow daily. However, I still experience some weeks each year when I fall off the wagon. A hectic time filled with family gatherings or a sudden cold and sinus congestion can derail my plans. I’ve learned to accept this and move forward. I’ve realized that I can’t change the external circumstances, but I can navigate through them like the captain of a great ship at sea during a storm. I understand that these times will arise, so they’re not random or unusual when they do. I make the most of it.

Here’s my strategy that may help you:

1. Figure out what’s on my plate for the immediate future, like the next 7 days. Everything I need to do, be a part of, watch, or just think about.

2. Tackle each of the most important things I cando each day and park or put off everything else. This could involve skipping a gym workout or TV time. I will also skip some socializing with friends and any other non-critical things

3. Keep in mind that I just need to get through the process of recovery if I have become sick. Maybe it’s just having a lot on my plate that is the source of the congestion, and I need to just chew on something every day until I finish eating the “elephant” on my plate.

4. Repeat the steps each day until this moment passes

5. Return to my ideal routines and habits and become stronger for the next time I face the rough seas of life.

It’s not easy or even desirable to be overwhelmed. It’s especially hard to skip healthy habits and routines you know are good for you, but it must be done sometimes. Our fitness gains won’t be permanently lost by skipping a week at the gym. Our friends won’t leave us if we can.’t talk to them about life for a days, and our life won’t fall apart if we only get 6 hours of sleep for a few days instead of the usual 8 hours. Life is about consistency and self-awareness over the long run. That’s what should be guiding you, rather than perfect routines and constant stability, allowing you to do whatever you want every day of the year.

The more I realize this, the more I allow myself to be tired sometimes so I can take a breath, take a step back, and work on things in front of me until the job is done. It’s changed the way I live and work, and I hope it helps you during your difficult moments as well.

Live Awesome!

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Fight the Hidden Enemy: The Danger of Visceral Fat and the Power of Grass-Fed Beef

By Ahsan

"A healthy person has many dreams. As sick person has only one dream."

Chinese Proverb

Don’t wait for a health issue or crisis to come upon you to realize the truth of the quote you just read. As the old saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine!

As you also know, your body is your most valuable asset, and that's why they say health is wealth. That said, are you looking to optimize your health and wondering what impact extra fat is having on your body? Not all fat is created equal?

While most people understand that body fat can be unhealthy, few know about or yet realize that visceral fat is the most concerning.

What Is Visceral Fat?

You've probably heard that having too much body fat isn't great. But visceral fat is a special kind of troublemaker. This hidden fat, stored around your organs, is linked to serious health issues. Visceral fat is hard to see with your eyes, unlike subcutaneous fat - the kind just under your skin that you can pinch. Visceral fat is more biologically active and can release harmful substances into your bloodstream. This can lead to various health issues affecting your body's overall functions, even if you don’t look fat from the outside.

Why Visceral Fat Is Not Your Friend

Visceral fat produces inflammatory substances and hormones that disrupt metabolic processes, leading to insulin resistance, increased blood sugar levels, and a heightened risk of heart disease.

***If you Google any chronic illness, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or Alzheimer's, along with visceral fat, you will see how this fat is linked to the illness.

What Can Visceral Fat Do to You?

1. Heart Disease Risk: It raises bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

2. Type 2 Diabetes: Can lead to insulin resistance and inflammation, and heart and kidney disease. Look this up. You don't want it!

3. High Blood Pressure: Increased pressure on your heart and blood vessels, putting additional strain on your heart. Not good.

4. Chronic Inflammation: It releases harmful inflammatory markers, which can lead to chronic inflammation and associated health issues.

5. Metabolic Syndrome: A significant risk factor for several diseases. All the popular ones and possibly more. Research metabolic dysfunction and the downstream problems. 6. Hormonal Imbalances: It disrupts metabolism and appetite control. 7. Sleep Problems: It can cause obstructive sleep apnea which impacts sleep quality and health. A good night’s sleep is a huge component of health.

8. Liver Damage: Linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

9. Digestive Issues: Pressure on digestive organs can cause problems due to pressure on digestive organs.

10. Mental Health: Associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders.

And Now The Good News!

Addressing visceral fat through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes like intermittent fasting can significantly improve overall health and well-being. One of the keys to eliminating visceral fat is a healthy diet and avoiding processed foods.

Your Next Move?

Knowledge is power, but only if you use it. You don't need to change everything at once. Research ways and means to eliminate visceral fat. A simple YouTube search will be a good start. Spend a few days watching several videos to learn what you can and then decide for yourself what you can do to get rid of this dangerous fat.

How You Will Be Rewarded

When it comes to the expected rewards of making a dramatic health turnaround, the rewards are too many to count. However, they come slowly. You will need to ditch the instant gratification mindset and the success in just 21 days rubbish you hear about. Your efforts will become self-evident and will appear to you first and then to others.

You will feel better energy, better sleep, improved digestion, a clear mind and greater concentration ability, a slimmer waistline, a more defined face and jawline, improved immune function and on and on. You may also have to get used to compliments from friends and foes! Most of all, you will be empowered to address chronic disease!

Grass-Fed Beef Can Help

You can combat visceral fat with knowledge, and one delicious way to do this is by eating grass-fed beef. Unlike grain-fed beef, grass-fed options are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and promote fat loss. Plus, they are leaner and provide high-quality protein for your muscles.

You can support your health and fight back against visceral fat by choosing grass-fed beef. Remember this: visceral fat is no bueno!

Be Your Own Best Health Advocate:

The sad fact is that most people do ok healthwise up to age 50. However, the next 20 years are mostly spent in declining health, and the remaining years after that go towards frailty, infirmity and disability.

The more you learn about this hidden enemy, the better prepared you'll be to take control of your health. After all, your body is better off being leaner, stronger and capable of helping you age well so you stay independent and enjoy life.

The alternative is to not realize this and innocently but slowly cause self-inflicted deterioration of health, also known as Falling Apart!

"The value of an idea lies in the use of it." — Thomas Edison

It may be a life changer to do your homework and educate yourself about visceral fat and how to get rid of it. We all deserve the best health possible.

Don't let hidden visceral fat silently damage your health. You've got the power to make better choices — starting now.

And hey, if this information helped you, share it with someone you care about. It might inspire them to take action and check out more insights into optimizing their health and eliminating visceral fat with the help of a Medical Doctor at www.drseanomara.com

If you liked this article and want a more AWESOME LIFE, please go to www.awesomelifebook.com

***Disclaimer: Wishing you the best on your health journey! Remember to research all the ideas you read in this article and consider this information as general information, not specific health advice for your situation. How you take care of yourself is your responsibility and entirely up to you. Please make sure you consult with your health care professional before making any changes to your eating or exercising routines.

Live Awesome!

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What If You Started Now?

By Shazad

“Suppose that a god announced that you were going to die tomorrow, or the day after.” Unless you were a complete coward, you wouldn’t kick up a fuss about which day it was–what difference could it make? Now recognize that the difference between years from now and tomorrow is just as small.”

Marcus Aurelius. Meditations

If you had all the money, time, and energy you craved, what would you do with your time? What kind of person would you become? Many of us imagine a perfect moment or golden years when everything will be right for us to retire, work on ourselves, pursue a more meaningful life, and be content. Sadly, few have experienced this, despite many people reaching their ‘target’ in terms of time and money. Why is that? In my opinion, the biggest reason people fail to reach their ideal self is that they don’t truly plan their life in enough detail beforehand. Most people don’t imagine what their days will look like and how they will feel. They sort of know, but not truly.

The best way to prepare for an ideal chapter or phase in life is to actually map it out. Take out a piece of paper and write down things like when you will wake up, what events you will be engaged in, who you will meet, and when you plan to rest. Be clear about things and avoid being wishy-washy or childish. What will the flow of your days be like? Do you want to do some work in a part-time job or volunteer for a few hours a few times a week? How about traveling and meeting people? Where would you go, and who would you talk to every day on the phone? The good news is that you can start to enjoy some of the life you dream of today.

You can figure out what amount of time, money, and other resources it would take to be living the awesome life you dream of. It’s probably a lot less than you think and very attainable once you figure out how you want to spend your time each day. Make some space in your calendar and stop spending on things that don’t really matter much so that you can have both the time and wealth needed to start on the journey you imagine having ‘some day.’ When we become intentional about how we want to live each day, right now, we get to see the world differently.

When you do, you will notice that there IS enough time and there ARE enough special moments to enjoy despite having responsibilities and bills to pay. We are not simply here to work, pay taxes, and then perish. There’s got to be a better way than spending 40 years working from age 20 to 60 or beyond, and then magically having enough to slow down. We can and should plan mini-retirements along the way. Maybe that looks like a month off work every two years, or maybe it’s creating long weekends every single month and using those 2-3 days to do some exciting things you normally wouldn’t do until later in life? Find out when people with the hobby you love meet up and join them once a week or a few times a month. Schedule a special movie or game night with your buddies and make a meal out of this. Take 4-5 hours off your calendar and unwind with people you have been meaning to connect with over food and a fun event. Find out what you really enjoy doing and do those things BEFORE age 60 when you will officially be a senior citizen. You may not enjoy some of your favorite things then. Maybe your body won’t be able to do certain things like zip lines, skydiving, and dirt biking the trail in the nearby forest.

With time, we develop different tastes and can’t really experience the same pleasure as the younger version of ourselves. It’s important to realize and even anticipate getting older. Think about the joint pain, the loss of energy, and even the passing of some friends by the time you are in the 60-plus group. Life is long for those who make the most of each day. Unfortunately, it’s short for some who suddenly develop a serious illness or are tragically taken from us in some kind of accident. To become the kind of person you dreamed of and have the life you worked so hard for, it’s wise to take stock of where you are today and what you truly want out of your life.

Don’t be reckless about pursuing what you love because it’s not about spending your life savings on things or quitting your job when you still have people depending on your income. Be wise and deliberate about how you spend time and other resources so you don’t feel like you are going through the motions and waiting for “Some Day” to start living the life you always wanted. You can start now and meet your future self enjoying the moment and living on your own terms.

Live Awesome!

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What Did You Get Done Today?

By Shazad

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning."

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”

Benjamin Franklin

Life is incredibly busy with countless things to do each day. There are numerous demands on our time, and many people are constantly seeking our attention. It’s all too easy to mindlessly rush through the 24 hours we have and hope to complete most of our tasks. We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings. There must be a better way!

The Good News

There is a better way to spend your limited resources of time, attention, money, and energy. You define what truly matters and the impact you want to make on your own life. How about the lives of the people closest to you? What do you want them to think, feel, and become? Be very clear about impact and results versus “getting things done.”

The Bad News

You will still feel moments of anxiety and overwhelm after defining what you want to accomplish and why. You will still experience stress about timing and limited resources like attention, energy, and money. The upside is that you will be consciously spending your days on important things and not on “EVERYTHING” that needs to be done. You DON’T need to do it all. You DO need to focus on what’s truly meaningful to you. Find someone else to handle the other tasks or delete them from your list. There’s no reason to fill up your daily action list with 10+ items when only 3 or 4 things will make you feel like you have made a difference in the world.

The Awesome News

Everyone has the same limited time each day. You can figure out the best way to tailor your schedule (as best as possible) to make your mark and become the person who is satisfied at the end of each hard day, instead of just exhausted and questioning your purpose in life. By intentionally seeking out meaningful work and ways to make the best impact on the people you care about, you get the RIGHT work done and delay, delete, or delegate the rest. Life is so much better when you fulfill your mission versus what everyone else wants you to work on. If you are not working on your most important tasks in life, you are working on someone else’s list, and that’s not going to make you happy in the long run. Live according to your focus and purpose so that you can make a difference and help all those people counting on you. Every bit of manual labour or general tasks doesn’t have to be done by you. There are plenty of people who can take care of things.

The unique skills and understanding you possess give you an advantage and a reason to work on specific tasks that you were designed for. Use your talents to do the extraordinary things you are meant to accomplish—things that no one else can do. This will evolve because life has seasons where certain tasks are more important than others. The key is to understand which season of life you are in and which 3-5 tasks are truly a must-do for you each day. Determine this and refine your list weekly to make it concise. You won’t regret it!

Live Awesome!

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Are You Depressed Or Simply Unhappy?

By Ahsan

“Happiness is pretty simple – someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to.”

Rita Mae Brown

How do you like the quote you just read? It is astounding in its clear and simple message. A modern Proverb and deeply instructive!

There are a lot of unhappy people out there today. Hey, it might even be you or me! It’s hard to blame any of us when you look at the way things are going outside your window and around the world. But guess what, the way the world goes is not going to change anytime soon.

You must change!

Happiness is not simply a fleeting feeling; it’s a choice we can actively make. Our thoughts shape our reality, and just like other habits, our way of thinking can be changed. We often find ourselves caught in a cycle of negative thoughts that can lead to anxiety and, eventually, even depression. But it’s important to recognize that many people aren’t clinically depressed; they’re simply unhappy.

Suffice it to say, the more you cultivate the habit of thinking joyfully as opposed to allowing anger, despair or anxiety to fill your mind, the better time of life you will experience.

Our way of thinking is simply a habit.

And like other bad habits that need to be broken, you should stop it! Thinking that creates anxiety can lead eventually to different forms of melancholy, whether it be mild and fleeting or severe and prolonged depression.

Break the habit! This realization is key. Understanding where you stand allows you to make conscious choices about your mindset.

Choosing Love Over Self-Focus

Loving others means shifting your focus away from yourself. When you open your heart to love, you create connections that bring joy and fulfillment. These relationships can be a powerful antidote to unhappiness.

Finding Purpose Through Action

Having something meaningful to do is crucial. Engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose fills you with energy and vitality. Rather than succumbing to lethargy, seek out hobbies, volunteer work, or projects that ignite your passion. Even the so-called mundane and routine activities of daily life foster a sense of purpose when you think of it that way!

Looking Forward to Tomorrow

Anticipating future events brings joy and motivation to your daily life. Whether it’s planning a fun outing, setting achievable goals, or simply enjoying the arrival of the weekend, having something to look forward to makes the daily grind more rewarding.

Get Cracking and Don’t Look Back

It’s also crucial to acknowledge that life isn't just about play; we have responsibilities that must be managed. From cooking and cleaning to attending meetings, these tasks are part of our adult lives. However, the more we cultivate the habit of joyful thinking—focusing on the positives rather than allowing anger, despair, or anxiety to dominate our thoughts—the better our lives will be.

So, when reflecting on whether you are depressed or simply unhappy, consider this: Are you allowing negative thoughts to control your perspective? You have the power to choose joy.

Remember that kids’ song? If your happy and you know it clap your hands...

If we rewrite it, it should be as follows:

If you’re sad and you know it; change your thoughts

If you’re sad and you know it; change your thoughts

If you’re sad and you know it; and you really don't want to blow it

If you’re sad and you know it; change your thoughts!

Take Action Today

Remember John Lennon’s words: “I believe in the church of whatever gets you through the night.” Use that motto to guide you toward happiness. Give yourself a good sermon and listen attentively!

Choose to fill your mind with thoughts that uplift and inspire you.

Happiness is a choice, and it begins with your thoughts.

Choose wisely.

Live Awesome!

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Is THIS Necessary? How To Live With Grace and Purpose

By Shazad

“Concentrate every minute like a Roman – like a man – on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions. Yes, you can – if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable. You see how few things you have to do to live a satisfying and reverent life? If you can manage this, that’s all even the gods can ask of you.”

Marcus Aurelius. Meditations

There is something important to be done every day. Whether it’s the dishes, laundry, that report for work, or a child’s homework. There’s always something, right? Why not accept what must be done and approach the task willingly with Grace and a sense of duty? No use fighting against things that are in front of us unless they don’t belong on our plate to begin with. Let’s unpack this some more.

First, what are the things YOU must own and take care of each day? Do you know what your daily responsibilities are, and have you tried writing them down? Which of these are a MUST and truly YOURS to complete? Which ones are optional and could be done better, cheaper, or faster by someone else? Figuring this out sets you up for success in the next steps.

Once you know what your true responsibility is, you can embrace it and even love it! You must reach the point where you have eliminated or delegated all your tasks, clarifying what falls within your domain of responsibility and what doesn’t. Only then can you dedicate all your heart and energy to completing the required work.

“If you seek tranquility, do less. Or (more accurately) do what’s essential–what the logos of a social being requires- and in the requisite way. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’”

Marcus Aurelius

The more we take on in terms of general work, random tasks, and favors from everyone who asks, the more stressed we become. Why is that? It’s because we know we are not doing what we were meant to do. We are delaying the essential things by trying to do it all to please everyone. That approach always fails and leaves us worse off than before. We should focus only on the things that make our hearts sing and fulfill our purpose in life.

A person doing what they know they must do and realizing that they are the right or BEST person for the job doesn’t typically experience the stress or harmful side effects that most people worry about. Sure, they may struggle and even sweat with certain aspects of the task, but they accept it all as part of the mission they are engaged in. Nothing will seem vain or ‘out of scope. ’ That’s where the excitement and satisfaction in life truly come from: doing your work in the best way and not worrying about all the other things you are not doing.

The world’s smartest and often wealthiest people don’t attempt to “do it all. " They have personal assistants, skilled teams, business partners, and, in some cases, Chiefs of Staff to determine what needs to be done and by whom, as well as the level of urgency. Let’s learn how to organize our lives similarly, even if it means we have a fraction of the resources of a billionaire. We are likely still able to say NO to things and delegate some work to others. I’m certain we can also work with our friends/peers to figure things out instead of trying to do everything on our own.

The award at the end of your life wont go to the person who “Got the most things done” or the person who ‘Finished” a long To-Do list. It’s going to be about the personal satisfaction we have for doing the 5-10 most important things in our life that change us, our family, and maybe even the world! So get organized and be super clear on your daily tasks so that you can be fully engaged on the Task at Hand!

Live Awesome!

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Why Do We Really Love Somethings A Lot?

By Ahsan

“To be happy, one must let go of personal preferences and resolve to let things unfold and fully experience them with an open heart.” Ahsan

There are many things that we love as humans having our human experience. We love people, we love things, and we also love experiences.

Take, for example, how you love a baby who is part of your family. That baby might be your niece, your son, or your grandaughter. Most people have had the experience of feeling love when that baby is in the room or when they just think of that baby.

What is causing this beautiful emotional state we call love?

Is it triggered by natural chemicals and hormones in the brain? Oxytocin is one of the big ones that is activated when we show love and kindness to someone. Is it because the baby is from your family, and you feel an automatic duty to love them? Or is it because you are magically put under their spell?

I propose that the answer lies in the last reason. Something magical is going on, and babies prove it!

You feel love when you are in the presence of that baby. You don’t love the baby, per se. What do I mean?

When your heart is open as opposed to closed, emotions and experiences come through you like a stream of light. Every now and then, if you are lucky, you really feel happy or euphoric by something like seeing a person, seeing a sunset, smelling a fragrance or thinking of a pleasant memory. In that instant, your heart was open!!

Your heart was unobstructed at that moment in time. This is why Love was allowed to enter your being and make you happy.

Babies are the ultimate trigger to make a person’s heart open! Prove me wrong. In other words, you feel love when you are in the presence of that baby.

So, work on keeping your heart open to have a wonderful experience of life. Don’t insist on things being perfect or turning out the way you wanted. Be in the moment like the baby is and make the most of the joy it brings.

This is the way.

I just explained why grandparents often remark how much they love their grandkids! It’s not because they get to give them back to their parents after a visit. It’s simply magic!

Babies are the ultimate heart-openers. Let this inspire your inner child to smile and be happy more often.

Live Awesome!

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Are You Ready To Bloom?!

By Shazad

“When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”

Alexander Den Heijer

It’s springtime in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning many flowers are about to bloom in the coming days or weeks, depending on where you live. It’s a beautiful time of year as you see the grass turning dark green again and the trees awakening from their winter slumber. There is hope in the air, and the fresh scent of a new beginning each morning as it welcomes everyone to be outside more. But what if you don’t feel these things and don’t feel like you can bloom into a new season of life? You’re not alone. Many people feel like they are still stuck in winter’s chains. They still feel cold, dry, and dark. It’s hard for some people to come out of last season and into this new season of rebirth. I have some advice that you may want to consider.

1. Find people who are ‘blooming’ and ask them what it’s like for them. Listen to the way they describe the joys of a new beginning and the planning for even warmer summer days ahead. Being around such people will help you shake off some winter blues.

2. Get out into the light in the morning for 10 minutes. Look towards but not at the sun, and just try to imagine what a Tulip is doing as its green leaves shoot above the ground for the first time this year. Watch the setting sun as often as you can also. It can have a relaxing end note to your day that will help you get some quality sleep.

3. Eat colourful fruits like strawberries, oranges, blueberries, and Kiwi daily. Get that blast of fruit in your mouth daily, and try to imagine all the happiness your gut is experiencing as you feed it this rainbow of delicious flavours.

4. Plan some event, even a small one, for the Spring months. It could be a trip to your local park to see the Cherry Blossoms burst into life or it could be a visit to one of the best plant nurseries in your area to see what’s bursting to life in there. Maybe you want to pick up some of these for your garden and plant them in the ground at the appropriate time.

5. Make sure you know your health markers are in the optimal range. Get some blood tests done by your family doctor as needed and find out if you are feeling down because of any vitamin or mineral deficiency or something else. Work with a health professional to take care of that issue right away. It could be as simple as low Vitamin D or lack of Omega 3s in your diet. Maybe you are low on some electrolytes or something else. Always good to get tested every year and understand the results.

The above points do not replace medical advice for serious health challenges you may be facing. You should always consult a professional if your symptoms don’t improve as the days get brighter. Your wellbeing is important for the quality of your life, and it’s worth finding out more about why you feel the way you do. Chances are, many of you just needed a shift in perspective, a better diet, and more time with sunny people. It’s worth a try, and I sincerely hope you flourish abundantly this sprintime and in every season of your life!

Live Awesome!

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Why Do We Say Goodbye?

By Ahsan

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

Irish Blessing

While it’s common to bid farewell to others, have you ever paused to reflect on the true essence of those words?

The term "goodbye" is derived from the phrase "God be with ye."

Every goodbye is, therefore, filled with a wish for a safe journey and peace across diverse cultures and languages.

Expressions like "adios," "goodbye," and "khudah hafiz" all convey a profound sense of parting and the sacredness of blessing those who are leaving.

Such phrases serve as poignant reminders of the significance of human relationships, making goodbyes a universal experience filled with deep meaning and hopes.

Whether uttered in Spanish, English, or Urdu, saying goodbye celebrates the connections and love we share with our friends and family.

Each “farewell” expression has its unique character, yet they all resonate with the same underlying sentiment.

For example, "khudah hafiz," meaning "God protect you," underscores the hope for safety and well-being after parting.

This feeling is mirrored in numerous cultures, indicating that farewells represent not merely an ending but also a hopeful wish for future joy and peace.

Moreover, these parting words often illuminate the true nature of life itself. That is, life is a journey filled with unpredictable experiences, rather than a smooth predetermined destination.

The Holy Quran beautifully articulates, "Indeed, with hardship comes ease" (Quran 94:6), reminding us that even during the most difficult challenges, hope and recovery are in the future, God Willing!

In summary, the shared nature of farewells across languages underscores our common human experience of living, love and encouragement to each other as we travel through our unique journies.

Goodbye carries a significance that transcends a mere parting time phrase; it reminds us of the essence of our life’s journey and our collective understanding that we can always pray for one another’s safety and happiness.

We are literally blessing each other with Divine Grace embodied in these simple and often said words.

Recognizing the depth behind "adios," "goodbye," and "khudah hafiz" can enrich our lives, fostering kindness and empathy while strengthening our connections with others.

No matter where you find yourself or what circumstances you face, I say to you, Adios—meaning “I commit you to God” until we meet again!

Have An Awesome Day!

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