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Nadir Keval

Poem: Beautiful Epiphany
Poem: Beautiful Epiphany 1600 1200 Nadir Keval

I love
how you seem to be
so sincere, in your every
thought, whisper, and word.
How it came to be,
still remains a mystery,
that you would consider me,
to be the one you love.
Many men could only dream,
of having the love I have seen,
in your heart and soul.
So true it may be,
that we are destined to see,
each other in this life and the next world.

Paradise, oh paradise,
becomes sweeter to me,
as I think of reaching it with you next to me.
Dark nights become bright,
as you smile…for your light begins to reach,
stages of grace that could only be given by the Holy.
Hot days become cool,
just as the winds bring our minds ease,
your very essence is my breeze.
Every moment is to be cherished,
as your presence is a delicacy,
keeping me nourished, and keeping me happy.
I love how…
well…
I love you.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

Poem: Break Free
Poem: Break Free 3872 2592 Nadir Keval
Let’s take a moment and breathe,
to try to search out and find the route of ease.
‘Cause through all the hardships,
we’ll only make it if we open our eyes and see,
that the tips of our lips will only peak,
when we break down the hateful barriers and set our souls free!
Copyright © Nadir Keval

Organized Chaos
Organized Chaos 840 1000 Nadir Keval

Someone once told me that my mind works like that of a woman (I’ll take it as a compliment…) – “so many thoughts running through my mind at once, and having the ability to organize every one of those thoughts.” I still can’t tell if I was being called a woman, but either way, it was quite the compliment to say that I was someone able to maintain my sanity, despite my completely and utterly insane work ethic. I call it insane because it is something uncontrollable thus far, and so, overtakes the approach I take to completing all of my projects.

That said though, I think that every successful entrepreneur holds at least some degree of sanity-confusion. People often tell me, “Nadir, you need to focus on just one thing at a time. Get it done with, and then move on to the next thing.” I understand where they’re coming from, but personally, I just can’t do that. I’ve never been that great at school, but the time I was able to boost my GPA the most was when I was taking 5 courses, working 40 hours at one job and a little over 20 hours at another job. As long as I can maintain my zone (which basically just means not being interrupted with other thoughts), I can handle many things at once.

My system is to have a plan, to enjoy what I’m doing, and to just have fun with my work. Try it, I’m sure you’ll love it! Then, come tell me what you think and if it works for you. I’ll probably post another article soon, to tell you about how I management my time. 🙂

I’ve been inspired
I’ve been inspired 3008 2000 Nadir Keval

Alhamdulillah, the last two days have been spent with two brothers that have been inspiring in their humility, modesty, and personalities. After the I-SLAM event, myself as well as some other brothers enjoyed eating some pizza with Boonaa at his hotel room, before we decided to part ways at around 1am, for some sleep ’till the morning.

I stayed at a brother’s apartment, on the campus where the events were being held. Alhamdulillah, I had the opportunity to then meet Sheikh Navaid Aziz before we walked together to Jumaah, alongside Boonaa and the MSA president of the school. The Sheikh gave an inspiring speech about how we should work towards leaving behind a legacy, and truth be told, the examples of the Malik ibn Dinar really made me realize that I’m not doing enough to expand with my current projects.

I started talking to Sheikh Navaid about what I do, and how I’d like to expand and he was pleased with what he heard, Alhamdulillah. We then moved on to discuss how I could start to expand my audience and allow my goals and aspirations to become known virally throughout the world, Insha Allah. So, he suggested YouTube. I know, I’ve said many times before that I will start doing the videos again, but truly, I haven’t been sticking to my word, and for that I apologize. It’s been quite the journey thus far, trying to build my projects, but I will now be working towards going and getting a camera, and then starting some shows/series on YouTube, where I will be advising people on topics I feel I have some experience with. In addition to that, I will be posting my poetry, and anything else I can think of. What do you folks think of this idea? I’ve been working with people here in Vancouver, counselling, mentoring, public speaking, performing poetry, and running my own little projects on the side. I’d like to now expand my audience through YouTube, and eventually have an impact on the world as a whole, both Muslims and non-Muslims. I’m not a scholar or anything like that, but feel that I’d like to build on the things I have experience with, and just sincerely help people the best I can with whatever I know.

Anyways, I’d love to hear what you all have to say about this, and what you’d like to see from me. I’ll try my best to address those things and fulfill what you’re all expecting from me 🙂 Insha Allah.

First step(s) towards change…
First step(s) towards change… 500 375 Nadir Keval

Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The person who will receive the highest reward for Salat (prayer) is the one who comes to perform it in the mosque from the farthest distance. And he who waits for Salat to perform it with the Imam (in congregation) will have a greater reward than the one who observes it alone and then goes to sleep.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

When I read this Hadith (Prophetic example and teachings of Prophet Muhammad – may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), I was taken aback. I knew that I wanted to work towards becoming a better Muslim and a better person overall. I feel this will be that first step. I’ve been to the Mosque/Masjid for Fajr (the early morning prayer before sunrise) on and off before, but now, I want to work towards making it a part of my everyday. I want to be greedy with my good deeds. 🙂

Please pray that I can stick to this goal. Thank you!

Adrenaline Rush
Adrenaline Rush 1200 768 Nadir Keval

I FINALLY watched Fight Club, and I have to admit, it’s a movie that’s lived up to the reputation it’s built up over the years. Someone told me that it’s about men with masculinity issues, and I felt like I would be doing something emasculating if I watched it. How that makes any sense, I don’t know. But anyways, I finally overcame that odd mindset, and watched it. And I have to say, WHOA! Amazing movie! Parts of it reminded me of one of my favourite movies, The Usual Suspects, and that just made it better.

In the end, I’d recommend both these movies to everyone, because they both leave you feeling completely mentally violated, but give you the opportunity to build up a level of adrenaline that can work in your favour by the end of it. It’s like you feel as though you need to build your confidence and self-image back up after being completely flustered by these movies. I’m telling you…by the end of these movies, you’ll just say, “ummm….DAMN.”

In memory of….
In memory of…. 3888 2592 Nadir Keval

You know, when you have days like this, when people (in this case, Canadians) are thinking about those who have passed in the ways of war, and then you look at what the world has been facing in recent years, you quickly realize that the world is in a difficult place, and seems to only be inflicting pain upon itself.

I speak of the people of the world as one entity, because in truth, we are people who should learn to live in peace and unity. But, to believe that this can be a reality would be ignorance. They say that there cannot be peace without war, just as there cannot be happiness without sadness. But that leads me to question if the world has taken this concept and turned it into a position of accepting defeat against the evils of human nature…almost as though people have forgotten that goodness lies in all of us, and is only in need of that motivation and determination to present itself.

People seem to have given up on the world changing. They think that donating some money to a charity, volunteering at an event, or things of that sort are enough. Truth be told, those things are all things we should do, but they are NOT enough. Not by a long shot.

There is a quote that often lingers in my mind throughout my days, keeping me grounded and focused on living a righteous life:

The righteous person is the one constantly thinking of death.

(I was told this is a quote from the Hadith – the traditions, actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – but because I’m not sure, I won’t quote it as such. Rather, try to just take the meaning of it.)

When I first heard this quote, I thought, “Wow…that’s pretty negative and pessimistic.” But then, it was explained to me, and it changed my life. The quotation means that the person who is righteous is always asking him/herself a simple question: If I were to pass today, would I be ready to face the Lord/would I be able to look back at my life and say that I did the most I could to be a good person? What’s good and what’s not isn’t the matter at hand here. To each his own in that matter. But, can we look back at our lives and really say that right now, we’re in a place that we’re proud of…not because of pride, because what we’re doing is, in an unbiased opinion, righteous.

That’s when that change needs to come. The reason I mentioned the above quote was to address the fact that we CAN in fact make a change in the world by making a change within ourselves as individuals.

“Truly, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

So, look at that as the plan. Now, let’s work together towards actually putting this plan into action. We all know that there are certain things that we’d like to do in order to make a change in ourselves. We just need that support and motivation to do so. I’m not perfect, but I believe in doing my best to make changes in my own life, so that I can look in the mirror and say, “I’m happy with who I am.”

My friends, let’s make these changes together, and work together towards helping each other make our lives better. I started this website, as well as the programs I run, with this goal in mind: help as many people as possible. So, leave a comment below, or click the Contact button on the side of the page, and talk out your changes with me. We’ll work together in making these changes. I’ll help as much as I can. Who knows, these may be the boosts we need in order to reach our own goals!

Be you. It’s really just that simple.
Be you. It’s really just that simple. 3072 2304 Nadir Keval

That which does not kill me can only make me stronger
(That’s for real)
and I don’t see why everybody feel as though
they gotta tell me how to live my life
(You know?)
Let me live baby, let me live.

– Tupac Shakur

Ask yourself the simple question: “Do I believe that what I’m doing is right and does it pass the tests of my beliefs and values?”

I’m not talking about ethical issues, because this isn’t an ethics class. I’m not gonna talk about things that should be obvious (and because they’re obvious, I don’t need to mention them). But I will speak about the things we face in life, the drama people cause, the struggles we face internally, and externally with others.

In life, you will find that there are going to be a lot of people ready to judge you, to spread negative things about you, and to try to ruin your image. Especially if you are in a more public eye. But, always ask yourself that above question, and believe in yourself.

I find that this is something that we all need to consider in every moment of our lives. Make these things your mindset, in order for you to succeed. I’m not saying this is a law of any sort, but in my opinion, staying true to yourself always keeps you grounded.

This concept and understanding is something relevant to many aspects of life:

Business

In business, you will without doubt, be faced with these sorts of issues, people giving you a variety of opinions on how you should do things, people trying to shut you down before you even get started, etc, etc. But, regardless of what happens, you need to do what you believe is right, what abides to your vision, and what makes you happy. Now, that doesn’t mean you should live life closed-minded. It means to be open to hearing other people’s thoughts when you need a second or third opinion, and to always remember that you should be the one with the final say in your decision. BUT, be careful as to who you ask. Keep a small group of people in your life as your go-to people, that you turn to when you’re unsure of something. For me, I have my two best friends (they know who they are 🙂 ), another friend who’s like a brother to me (he knows himself too haha) my parents and sisters, and well, that’s it. Of course, when I get married God-willing, I’d want to add my wife to that list. But, you get the point.

Also, another point that I would suggest is to not talk about your ideas, or your plans, until after you’re on your way to working on them. For example, if you’re going to start a business, don’t go telling everyone all the details of your idea. That’s how you get naysayers and idea-theives excited haha. Just do your thing, keep it to yourself, and then, when ready, launch your idea. 🙂

Friends

Often, for the sake of keeping someone around, or not losing a “friend”, we sacrifice what we believe in. We change ourselves, just to make sure that we don’t lose someone we think is important to us. But, a true friend – and I speak out of experience of going through many of the so-called “true” friends – is that person that stands by you, and gives you that unconditional love, regardless of what you do. He/She wouldn’t ask you to change. Wouldn’t make you feel bad about who you are. A friend tells you, “I will always be here, to help you through your life, and I’d expect the same from you.” When you think about it like that, you realize, you could filter out most of your friends, and find the few remaining ones that are worth your effort. And when a person makes that effort to be a good friend, let them. Friendship is not a right. It’s deserved. I think most things are, and friendship sure is one of those things.

Relationships

When it comes to relationships, the concept is similar to that of friends (mentioned above). A partner has to be your friend. Otherwise, it won’t work. At least not in my opinion. You have to be able to be best friends. This is that person that you’ll be sharing your most intimate moments with, the person who will make you whole.*

Friendship is the first step, and so, in the same way, the person your soul connects to in that way should be willing to embrace you as you are, no matter how you change. So, be you, work hard towards your visions and work hard towards your relationship. Yes, relationships are in need of compromises at times, but at no cost, in my opinion, should we change ourselves at the core-level.

* Sidenote: Yes, your partner, the person you end up with, should make you whole. But, if God-forbid, things don’t work out between you two, remember that there’s a reason for everything. Also, don’t become dependant on that person. Make them a choice, not the source of vulnerability.

Family

This is that group of people that will often drive you nuts with their input, or will confuse you with their opinions on how you should do things. But, in the end, remember that they are the same people who will stand by you regardless of what happens. (There are very rare situations where this isn’t the case, but trust me, chances are you’re not in one of those situations.) I have personally been through so many struggles in life, sometimes clashing with my family, but in the end, they were the ones that stood by me.

When I speak of family, I’m speaking of your direct family. Not necessarily your extended family. Your direct family knows you best, considering they have probably spent more time with you than other relatives.

When your family suggests things to you, or tells you their thoughts on something, it’s best to consider what they are saying, and then make your own decision. They are saying what they say often out of the goodness of their hearts. Even if you don’t like what they say, thank them for their opinion and then make your decision. Nothing in this world is worth breaking bonds with family, except your religious beliefs. Then to, don’t break the bonds completely, but continue being kind to them.

Personal Growth

This is a major struggle many of us face. As we grow, we develop not only physically, but mentally and soulfully as well. These latter developments are in fact the things that make us who we are. As we grow, we realize that certain things matter more to us than others, and so, we develop an affection towards those things. These things may be inclusive of spirituality, diet, morality, passions, and more. It is important that we take these aspects of our lives and allow them to grow naturally within ourselves. Time is something constant, and so, it is best for us to work with time as it comes. Rushing growth will only stunt it. Instead, take the changes your experiences, the growth you endure, and make the most of them. If you fall in the process of that growth, then so be it. Don’t concern yourself with the pain the fall caused you, because that pain will become your focus. Instead, concern yourself with how you can take that fall and learn from it: What lead to the fall, and how can I avoid that next time? How can I get up from this fall faster next time? etc.

Life will throw you difficulties. Don’t let those difficulties hit you. Instead, catch them and throw them back at life. 🙂

So, in the end…

It’s a simple matter of staying true to yourself. Ask yourself if what you do will result in something that will make you happy and will help you towards your ultimate goals. Ask yourself if who you are will compromised by taking that different step. Ask yourself if you are ready to take on that challenge and make those changes you need to make if necessary, in order for you to reach your goals.

Who you are will without doubt change during your lifetime, but let that change come naturally from within, not from your concerns for the judgments of other people.

The decision is only for God

[Quran, Chapter al-An’aam 6:57]

Why I don’t write as often.
Why I don’t write as often. 1000 664 Nadir Keval

Okay, so I know it’s been ages since I wrote a blog, and that I’m not consistent with posting things, but in all honesty, it’s because I feel like if I were to write about what I do in a day, you would all quickly realize how unproductive I am, despite the fact that I work constantly hahaha. (Well, besides the many movies and TV shows I watch in a day….but that’ll be our lil’ secret hahaha) 

So, this is what I’m thinking….I’m going to start planning out my articles a week before, and then write an article everyday for you guys based on what I planned the week before. That way, I have a collection of things to write about, instead of just writing when I remember one of the gazillion ideas that come to my mind everyday.

Also, I want to start doing my videos again. Will I make a fool out of myself in the process? Probably! But, the way I figure it is that if I can’t act a fool in front of you guys, then really, I’m not ready for all the adventures and plans I have for the future.

Now, in order to do these things, I’m considering changing my website layout again because this one isn’t really compatible with video and use of the sidebar. I’ve got some great themes in mind…but just want to see which one really makes me say, “Wow, this is me.”

So, I’ll work on that today, and hopefully by tomorrow, God-willing, we’ll have a finalized new look for the website. And in regards to the other changes to the site…you will be seeing Life Lesson videos and articles, Business tips and videos, Poetry readings on video and their written versions here, and also random postings of things I found on the internet that tickled my fancy.

Alright, until then, take care, and get some rest! We’ve got a fun and long journey ahead of us! 🙂

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