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Ramadan 2013 – Reflections and Changes
Ramadan 2013 – Reflections and Changes 1920 1047 Nadir Keval

Ramadan last year was…different. To be honest, I don’t think there’s any other way to describe it. There was so much going on in my life, and it was all stuff that was overwhelming, stressful, and confusing. Looking back, it wasn’t a time of much clarity for me. I went through a dark time, and was quite unhappy, making it very difficult for me to focus on my faith. Through the help and support of friends, I was able to push myself towards moving forward from the things that ailed me, and found myself in a new place, where I recognized that I had the ability to achieve anything. It was as though life had thrown me to the wind, and instead of being blown away, I was left standing while the wind cleansed my life of the clutter and negativity. Alhamdulillah.

Throughout this last year, I have grown greatly, Alhamdulillah. I have been able to refine the things that I was always so passionate about, and through this process, I have found a new level of peace and clarity within my personal faith. I knew that there was a need for me to grow closer to God, and so I began working on my relationship with Him. It was difficult, and it made what would usually be considered easy and simple become overwhelmingly difficult.

Without going into details of my personal sins, I will share some of the points I grew to recognize as being the key aspects of what helped me find peace and happiness:

  • Be optimistic: It’s so easy to be pessimistic about things, and to expect the worst. It’s so easy to think that everything is just not going to work out, and expect people to always be out to get you, or to make it seem like there’s no point in trying harder to become better. What’s difficult is to be at peace with life, no matter what comes your way. That comes through being optimistic and recognizing that everything that happens in life is part of His Plan. Sure, it’s more difficult, but once you learn to trust Allah, this becomes the secret ingredient to happiness in life. I’ll be writing a separate article about this topic later this week, so be sure to stay tuned for that!
  • Seek progression, not perfection: Many of us get down on ourselves when we find that we’re struggling with living up to the expectations of trying to be perfect in what we do. Well, at least, that’s something I went through. Upon realizing that I shouldn’t worry about the results, and instead should just focus on trying to be the best I could be as possible, life became much more peaceful.
  • Understand that you’re human: We all make mistakes, and beating ourselves up about it won’t do us any good. Instead, recognize that you’re human and part of being human is going through ups and downs in almost every aspect of life. What matters is the next thing in this list…
  • Never give up: Life is a series of tests and struggles, in which we focus on trying to accomplish goals in order to survive and thrive. The problem with this can sometimes be that things don’t always go our way. When this happens, it’s of utmost importance that we refuse to give up and continuously strive towards accomplishing our goals. Roll with the punches, and make the most of what life brings your way, but be patient and relentless in making your dreams a reality.

This Ramadan, let’s take in all we can from the lessons we learned over the past year, set some new goals, and try to make some changes. As a method of following through with this initiative, I’m challenging all of you to do things this Ramadan that are your own personal ways of making a change, be it through praying more, reading Quran more often, going out and volunteering somewhere, helping someone, giving Da’wah, etc. During the month, take pictures, record videos, write blog posts, etc. and hashtag them with #nkmakeachange. Let’s inspire each other to build on helping people as much as we can, and share our experiences. Make the most of this Ramadan, insha Allah! I pray that Allah helps and guides all of us towards making positive changes during this month, and that He gives us the strength, discipline, passion, and commitment to carry on with our changes after Ramadan as well. Ameen!

The Roller Coaster Of Life (Video)
The Roller Coaster Of Life (Video) 1274 714 Nadir Keval

Life itself is a roller coaster. The lower the roller coaster, the steeper and slower the climb to thrill and excitement. But, once you get to that pivotal point, the ride down is incredible and breath-taking! Sure, it may be short-lived, but once again, the lower it goes, the more it’ll pay off once you work your way back up to the top. Be patient. Work hard. It’ll be worth it. – Nadir Keval

Hey guys! After a long-time hiatus, I’m back with a new video! I’m going to be posting videos more often, so please be sure to subscribe and to like my videos. And if you can, write a comment below and share this video with your friends. Apologies for my first video back to be one where I look incredibly tired, but this video was actually shot at around midnight, after a day of working and a 10km trek. I hope the message I’m trying to get across touches your heart, and that you feel inclined to continue watching and sharing my videos!

When My Patience Wears Thin
When My Patience Wears Thin 1701 1129 Nadir Keval

We all go through times when our patience is tested. We’re pushed to the edge, either by others or through our own overthinking, and it’s at that point that we find our patience wears thin. When this happens to me, I become anxious, annoyed, and irritable. I begin to fall into a daze, where I find myself not caring about anything or anyone, and focusing solely on myself. Focusing on oneself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be destructive if it isn’t balanced with giving back in some way or another. So, when I find myself in predicaments like these, I first turn to Allah. I pray two rakah (segments) of prayer, and supplicate while in prostration, asking Him to give me peace, calm, and serenity. It’s far too easy to fall prey to the stresses and hopes of this world, which can be scary and fatal, especially when it leads to us distancing ourselves from the hopes and aspirations of the Hereafter. Just the other, I was speaking to a friend about this. We discussed how in the past, during the time of the Prophet (SAW), he and his companions would have such a strong focus on their Hereafter, that this life was like a simple pit stop towards their ultimate goal of Paradise.

“Live in this world as a traveler or a stranger.” – Prophet Muhammad (SAW) [Bukhari and Tirmidhi]

This life we’re leading is something we should really consider as being a mere tool with which we can prepare ourselves for the Hereafter. That relates to so many matters of life, but to focus on the topic at hand, I’ll speak on how this relates to patience. We all live these rushed lives, trying to constantly get something done to fulfill our need for instant gratification. We become obsessed with how others are leading their lives, and feel the need to follow their examples without a moment’s consideration as to whether or not what they’re doing is right or wrong, beneficial or harmful. We live based on our desires and feel that we must embrace those desires in order to live well, forgetting that what makes us different from other creatures in this world is that we have been given the intellect to make sound judgments and moral decisions. These blessings make it possible for us to live within guidelines and boundaries we have set up based on morals and beliefs. What kind of a life are we leading if we focus on what is temporary instead of what is eternal and everlasting? That’s like accepting pennies when you could earn millions by putting in the same effort, but just readjusting your priorities. I know it’s much easier said than done, because we have been created to have emotions, desires, and wants, but everything must be maintained within reason and moderation. I believe in letting our imaginations soar, and to never accept anything less than the best, but what is beautiful about that is that a good portion of that is reliant upon Allah’s Wisdom and Decree. When we want something or strive towards achieving something, it’s important to remember that the results of our efforts are in the Hands of God, and that everything that happens to us is what is best for us, even if we don’t see it then. Reevaluate and readjust your priorities. Be content with what life throws your way, but never be satisfied with it, because there is always hope for more. There are no limits to how far we can go when we put our hearts and faith, and ambition and effort towards what we want. But, there are also times when what we want isn’t really what’s best for us, and so, we don’t get what we want, or are left to learn the hard way. Either way, what comes is for our benefit, and we just need to keep moving forward. I’ve done it, and so I’m sure any of you can. Sure, life has beaten me to the ground time and time again in the past, but I know that I will never face anything I can’t handle, and so, I get back up, regardless of how hard it is or how long it takes, and keep moving forward.

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned.” – Quran (2:286)

Here are some tips based on what I’ve learned to do when my patience has been tested:

  • Take a break – This can be something as simple as putting down your phone, headphones, and everything else you may be carrying and just going for a walk – you, yourself, and God. Or, it can be something like taking a day or two off. Don’t worry, you’re not wasting time, or losing money (refer to the stupid saying, “Time is money.”). You’re recuperating. You’re recharging yourself so that you can be better, stronger, and more driven. You weren’t created to constantly be working. You were created to live a balanced life, so find balance, damnit!
  • Increase worship – Your connection with God is something that will change your complete outlook towards life. When a distance has grown between us and God, we begin to question everything with ignorance, and lose faith and hope that everything will be okay. Your relationship with God is your greatest weapon against insanity, so embrace it, develop it, nourish it, and thank God for being your greatest friend and supporter. Whenever you can, take a second and supplicate or pray, just to get that reconnect with God. Think about it: since having cell phones and social media, how many times do we talk to our friends in a day? God has been there all this time, and staying in touch with him doesn’t cost you a three-year contract and a monthly bill. In fact, HE rewards you when you keep up with Him. How awesome is that?!
  • Go fishing – Okay, so maybe you don’t HAVE to choose fishing as your activity, but do something that’s relaxing and doesn’t require much effort, but also gives you a chance to be productive and grow. I personally like fishing because it forces me to be patient. You spend a lot of time trying to catch something, and it really makes you have to be quiet and patient as you wait for the sudden and often subtle movements of the line to know if you’re getting a bite. Sometimes, that leads to catching something, and sometimes it doesn’t. When you do catch something, it’s a great sense of accomplishment, not because of a physical feat, but because you’ve overcome impatience and achieved something that has been done for centuries throughout history. When you don’t catch something, it’s an opportunity for building humility, because you’re reminded that not everything goes your way all the time, and that it was written for you today.
  • Take care of YOU – This can involve so many things from meditation, exercising, eating well, hanging out with close friends, etc. The main point is to remember that you have to take care of yourself in order for you to make the most of life and be as successful as possible. Life’s not running away from you. What’s written for you will be yours, and what isn’t, wont. BUT, what you have to do is make the most of every moment, which includes you working hard at some times and taking breaks at others, eating clean and healthy most of the time and indulging in your favourite treat sometimes, etc. And all of this is stuff you should do without feeling guilty. Don’t call it a cheat meal, call it a treat meal. Don’t call it a lazy Sunday, call it a recharge Sunday. Get what I’m saying?

When things get overwhelming and our patience with ourselves or with others begins to wear thin, I find that it’s often a signal our body is sending us to take a moment to ourselves and come back to our centre point. Don’t let patience become your enemy, but instead, consider it that friend that calls you out when you’re in need of some tough love. Take some time out to take care of you, and remember that it’s okay to put things off for a day (don’t make this a habit though – that’s how procrastination is born), as long as you maintain balance and come back with stronger ambition, passion, and drive. Now, go out there and patiently persevere and make your dreams a reality!

Poem: Moonlight
Poem: Moonlight 1920 1080 Nadir Keval

Moonlight envisions visionaries.
A mere boulder,
left to wander
into what seems like oblivion.
If it were not for the sun,
it would fall off track,
and would be left to darkness,
never to be seen.
The two, sun and moon, have been paired for each other
by the Ever-Generous Creator,
to bring about life and light
to a world that would die without them.

Today, I am that moon,
and you are the sun.
I am left wandering,
wondering,
when you will shine your gift upon me,
and see that though I am simple and bare,
I would help you shine brighter
because the love we could have
is one that’s almost forgotten,
from having spent so much time being rare.

Still, just as there is night and day,
Divinely decreed time must pass,
in order for life to run smoothly,
and growth to find its pace.
So, until you are ready,
and God gives you clarity,
I will bask in your light patiently.
Until the time comes,
when you choose to shine on me,
so we can see if we
can spark a love
that will brighten the world indefinitely.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

Poem: My Miracle
Poem: My Miracle 1280 720 Nadir Keval

This morning is like any other morning,
except for this one minor difference.
Today, I am a husband.
Today, I have a wife.

I wake to seeing you,
and I feel every worry fade,
like the aura that radiates from you,
is to bring light to the darkness I have lived in
throughout my every day.

Suddenly, you open your eyes,
and smile at me,
like I’m a lost love,
that you’ve once again recognized.
At that moment, you whisper,
“Assalaamu alaikum Love,”
wishing that peace be upon me.
Yet, you have no idea,
how you truly have,
brought peace to every part of who I am,
bringing me to life with your serenity.

I think of the moment I first saw you,
How you would be enthralled by your books,
and would make faces at the pages,
out of confusion or excitement over what you had just read.
I smiled, and felt inclined,
to pray and ask the Divine,
if you would be best for me in this and the Next lifetime.

I asked about you,
spoke to our mutual friends,
and found that you had every detail,
of what I sought.
A woman focused and driven,
yet playful and innocent.
A woman decisive and inspired,
by her faith above all else.
A woman so keen on living clean,
that every aspect of your life was motivation,
To be better than I am.
And that’s when I knew,
you were the one I wanted.

You are a blessing,
a reflection of everything that was always missing,
from the others in the past,
though I would be convinced that they would last.
You were pure, and human,
which made you so perfectly balanced.
And so I prayed and prayed,
that if we were to be,
that He would bring us together with ease.

Not too long after,
I was speaking to your father,
asking him if he would allow,
for a man as simple as me,
to have the hand in marriage
of a princess waiting to be queen.

He was pleased,
which truly surprised me,
as I had only experienced obstacles
in circumstances as these.
But instead, he told me,
that he would be honoured
to have a son like me.

And here we are today.
As husband and wife.
Though we have only been together a moment,
compared to the lifetime of moments we hope to share,
I feel blessed and enchanted,
to have witnessed a miracle,
as Allah brought our hearts together,
without fuss having any chance to muster.
And for that, I will say,
“Thank You, Allah,
For making her my wife,
today and every day.”

Copyright © Nadir Keval
 
Note: I’ve been getting a lot of people congratulating me on getting married after reading this poem, but it’s actually a reflection of what I hope to experience when I DO get married in the future, insha Allah (God-willing) – NOT a reflection of something I’ve already experienced. So, thank you for the well-wishes and compliments, but I’m not married just yet 😛

Poem: I want to marry her…
Poem: I want to marry her… 1920 1200 Nadir Keval

I want to marry her so that I may enter Paradise with her.

I want to marry her so we can grow together into the best we can be as individuals and as Muslims.

I want to marry her because I believe she will be a phenomenal mother, insha Allah.

I want to marry her so I can prove to Allah and to her, every day, that I am worthy of her as my blessing.

I want to marry her so that we can be covers for one another against the trials of this world.

I may sound selfish, but what can I say,

Marrying her will cause all of my sorrows to stray.

And what do we seek in this life,

other than happiness and a relief from strife.

So, I know that she will bring my life joy,

And with every moment together, Shaitaan’s efforts against us will be destroyed.

Oh Allah, please make her my wife and I her husband,

so that we may please You and through that, please each other.

Ameen.

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! 🙂

Poem: Epitomy of Happy
Poem: Epitomy of Happy 1024 768 Nadir Keval

She’s the epitomy of beauty,
Brings dreams of happiness
From the depths of fantasy,
Into a reality.
She appeals to my every attribute,
Makes me feel like my love’s the truth.
She has the smile of an angel,
You’ll see innocence in her every angle.
She’s the epitomy of beauty,
In more than just the physical,
But in her soul’s purity,
Making me fall in love with her daily.
The day I met her, I fell into a daze,
And since then, my feelings have become,
More than just a phase.
There’s things about her that I love,
And there’s thing I could do without.
But this woman’s everything I could ever ask for,
It’d be an insult to ask God for any more.
He’s sent me my own guardian,
To love and cherish me,
Without any hurting.
Now, I’m praying for the courage, to maybe,
Ask her to become my lady,
By blessing me even more,
And saying yes when I ask if she’d marry me.
I dream of days when we could start a family,
With children we would adore.
A daughter just like her
And a son, whose love for us is unconditional.
Baby, will you help me,
In finding reason to smile?
‘cause all I need to be satisfied with life,
is the chance to be your husband and make you my wife.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

T.G.I.F.!!
T.G.I.F.!! 1200 800 Nadir Keval

I woke this morning an hour before I had to reach the Mosque (Muslim Temple), and that meant I had to leave within 5 minutes of waking up. So, I get up, get dressed, not able to freshen up any more than just brush my teeth.

I then leave the house, rushing to get to the Mosque. On my way there, I get slowed by traffic, and end up getting there just in time. It’s honestly an amazing feeling to get to the Mosque and spend some time there. The Friday prayer is like my weekly rehab session. I go to the Mosque on other days, but every Friday just comes with this incredible feeling of, “You can start fresh again starting today!”

The people sit silently, listening to the lesson, which is compulsory before every Friday prayer. They listen intently, in hopes of hearing that one thing, if not more, that will inspire them until the next week. Beginning with the words of peace, “Assalaamu alaikum” (May the peace and blessings of Allah [God] be upon you), the lecturer delivers a speech leaving us all speechless and smiling, to know that we are not alone in facing the day-to-day struggles we face as individuals.

After the speech, the prayer begins, as the call to prayer is made, praising Allah, and reminding us to, “Come to prayer, come to success!” We begin, and the meditative closeness to our souls comes to life. We all recognize the presence of our souls, but this feeling of just being completely connected to your center is incredible. It’s what keeps me balanced throughout the day.

We finished the prayer, and I walked outside to talk to my brothers. These people are not related to me by blood, but they are as close to me as my own blood. We discussed holding a BBQ for a youth group I work with, and to include a lesson at the same time. We think it should work out really well, and I’m hoping for it’s success, Insha Allah (God-willing).

Time to get back to work now. See y’all soon.

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