patience

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

Are We Truly In Search Of Justice And Peace?
Are We Truly In Search Of Justice And Peace? 1920 1080 Nadir Keval

Let’s look at the world we live in today. It’s a construct of the decisions we as a global society have made throughout the years, allowing our greed, agendas, and immoral intentions take precedent over the maintenance of justice and life. Despite all of this being a truth many of us are aware of, we become emotionally driven by our own attachments and forget about the essence of humanity as a whole. Now, I am not one to often speak about current events because I feel that it is a magnet of controversy and the like, but I felt it important for my own self to share what I believe is necessary for us to live in a world of peace, as limited as that option may be.

There are battles, wars, and struggles that are faced throughout the world on a daily basis, some bigger than others, and some in our own minds. Every single one of them holds value and weight, and should be faced with wisdom, patience, and optimism – both by those involved and by those standing on the outside, looking in. Regardless of who you are or who it is facing the struggle, we must acknowledge the struggle and its weight.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The sad reality is that many of us have become numb to all the things we hear on the news. More often than not, we need for it to be something big to really make an impact. When it does, our reactions of anger and disgust with all that’s happened tend to be extremely strong at first, and a short time later, our passion towards change fades and we go back to living our lives. All the chaotic things that happen in the world are sparks of fire, and how we allow those things to impact our lives and influence our interactions with each other determines how much gas we add to that fire. If we’re smart, we’ll find ways to put out the fire through peaceful, wise, and optimistic solutions, before it grows too large for us to handle.

In no way do I mean to belittle any of the things that happen in the world today. Rather, I believe it’s important for us to work on our own selves, and to seek out knowledge and wisdom to find peace within ourselves, in order for us to find solutions to everything that goes on in the world, big or small. Through this, we will be able to deal with the news we hear about every day in a positive way, and will grow as a community. Maybe I’m speaking out of naivety, maybe I’m just saying something we’re all thinking but are too afraid to say or face, out of fear of stepping up and taking action. But, I implore all of us to consider ourselves as individuals first. For a minute, put aside all the blaming going on, put aside who may or may not have been the cause of the incidents, and ask yourself how you can make a difference. As I said, how we react to these things makes all the difference on the impact the struggles and events have on our lives. If we focus on trying to make positive changes to avoid having things like what we face happen again, we can make a difference that could benefit more people and save lives. If we, however, take the approaches we are taking today of finding someone or some group to blame and reacting in a negative and inappropriate manner, we are merely adding more reasons for more problems in the future.

Take an example from the days of elementary school, where if someone were bullied, the advice we would give them wouldn’t be to retaliate by starting to bully those bullying them. We don’t advise our children to react with the same thing they are hurt by, so why should that change when we’re all grown adults. Do we lose our sense, and emotional and mental stability when we get older? Most of what we see in the world today is bullies pointing fingers at others, and their blind followers spreading hate and negativity throughout the public to blind other people into sharing in the finger pointing. Sure, the bullies are bigger organizations or nations, and sure the followers are people on the internet and in smaller organizations, but really, it’s not that different from the school mentality. Make a change by being the better person. If someone is being blamed, investigate and seek out knowledge. Don’t be ignorant to the facts, and instead, stand for justice, wherever it may come from. Jumping the gun in blaming people and not expecting them to retaliate is dumb and ignorant. Be wise in your actions and strive to bring about positive change. People speak so much about wanting to see change and all that, but who really takes productive steps towards it? We all go out marching and protesting because of a matter (and I’m not saying that’s good or bad), but how much time is spent meeting in groups to understand with open minds the people and organizations behind the things being done, and then working hard towards taking positive, respectful, and respectable action? If the accused is an organization or a person that openly claims to have an agenda to do harm to people, then understand that the agenda is specific to those individuals involved in the matter and not to everyone that classifies themselves under that same name. For example, if a person named John goes around slapping people with blonde hair because he believes blonde haired people are evil, does that mean that every person named John believes the same thing and may slap blonde people? No. Does that mean that every blonde haired person is evil? No. So, why let that concept change in any other situation?

Ultimately, what I believe we should all do as individuals is work on ourselves to try becoming the best we can be for ourselves and for society as a whole. When you feel like someone is pushing you the wrong way, or that they seem to be trying to get you to react negatively to something they say, recognize that as being a form of bullying and walk away. Do not react in any way other than with patience unless you are put in a position of needing to defend yourself or others from actual physical harm – then too, be smart and don’t do any more than is necessary; i.e. call the police, move yourself to a safe place, and do only what is necessary to get away from the person, and do not harm out of emotional drive. Have faith in humanity and it’s ability to be good. At our core, that is what we are – good – but it is through the misuse and manipulation of our emotions that we get carried away and forget to think clearly and rationally, with wisdom and patience, when trying to find a solution.

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” – Mahatma Gandhi

These are all my opinions and thoughts, and no one has any obligation to follow or agree with them. All I ask is that you consider what I’ve said with an open mind and try to find peace through helping others. Only then can we grow as a people and hope for a better future.

Poem: Every Moment
Poem: Every Moment 1024 768 Nadir Keval

Every morning,
I wake up and you are my first thought.
I smile,
because I still have hope.

I rise from my bed,
and go wash up for prayer,
then clear my mind,
and begin my worship.
This process is repeated,
more than five times daily.
As I go into prostration,
I begin my supplication,
and find your name on my lips,
as one of the first few I pray for.

I pray for your success.
I pray for your happiness.
I pray you find peace,
and that it comes with all you seek.
A special day just passed,
and I asked Allah,
to make marriage to you,
my Eid gift from Him.
I pray you find clarity.
I pray you find strength.
I pray you always smile,
and that I get to be its reason.

After prayer, I begin my routine.
I exercise and eat healthy.
I plan out my day.
I strive to work beyond my goals.
I try to be the best I can be.

All of this,
whether I realize it or not,
includes you.

You are in my every prayer,
in my every supplication,
in my every breath,
because whenever I remember Him,
I ask Him to remember you.

You are with me when I take care of myself,
because I see how much you’ve accomplished,
and so, I aspire to be as inspiring as you.
And I want to be at my best for you,
as my hopes for us still remain true.

As I plan out my day, I think,
“I wonder what she’s doing today?”
I ask Him to protect you,
and to grant you ease.
I know some of your struggles,
I know some of your battles,
and as much as I’d like to be your sword and armor,
I know there are some things you need to do alone.
So, I stand by you, even if at a distance,
to support you as you face the world.
I know you know that I’ll be there when you fall,
because though failure is inevitable,
We will always get each other back on our feet.

I work hard every day,
to try to make a living,
not to survive,
but to give back so I can thank Allah.
Thank Him for everything,
especially making you a part of my life.
And I ask Him to give me the provision I need
to support you and our family (one day).

I try my very best,
to be the best man I can be.
I hope to please Allah,
by pleasing you and treating you well,
by being a good son to your mother and father,
by being a good brother to your brother and sisters,
by raising a righteous family with you by my side,
and by changing the world with you, one day at a time.

So you see,
you are in my every moment.
From the moment I wake,
to the moment I sleep.
Sometimes I don’t realize it,
but when I stop and close my eyes to find a quiet place,
I hear your heart beat.
Because long ago,
we gave each other our hearts,
and until today,
it’s still your pulse that keeps me going.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

Poem: Eternal Effort
Poem: Eternal Effort 1024 819 Nadir Keval

To be honest,
I thank Allah every day
and wonder how a woman as stunning as her could love me.
Still, I am thankful.
Thankful for Allah placing a love for her in my heart,
because this love makes me want to be more grateful,
and better overall,
as a Muslim and a man,
just to try to make it up to Allah for placing her in my heart.

If she were to stop loving me, I would still be thankful…
If she were to forget me, I would still be thankful…
If she were to leave me, I would still be thankful…
only because having the chance to have spent
even one moment in her heart
is enough to keep me happy in this life and the Next.

But, I believe, without a doubt,
that my fate will be better,
as I mention her in every prayer,
pray for her,
and for her.
I ask that Allah gives me two lifetimes with her,
because this life would not be enough,
but an eternal Hereafter in Jannah will do,
as enough time for me to show Him my gratitude
for her and all that she has brought and will bring.

I await patiently for the arrival
to the answer to my prayers,
so that I may be forever grateful.
Her return will be a gift from Him,
my very own miracle,
when she no longer remains only in my every dream and every thought,
but becomes the wife I’ve wanted for so long, to love and to hold.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

Poem: Fluid
Poem: Fluid 3488 3438 Nadir Keval

Rivers flowing into the vast waters,

Like the soul through life, it scatters.

Searching for fantasies of happiness so pure,

Sometimes on paths as refreshing as the morning dew,

And sometimes so harsh, like hurricanes we’re not ready to endure.

Flowing through me,

Nourishing every ounce of my body.

But though it alone holds this ability,

To be what I will always need,

It has the strength to hurt me,

Like salt on a wound, healed by the sea.

Healed – Though it hurt me, it healed.

This is the power of water,

So fluid, it takes hold of whatever

May come its way, or tries to take its place,

Knowing that with it, obstacles just pass by.

Washing out life’s pores I try,

To cleanse myself of the scum of the world.

It is my savior,

Water – my savior.

Quenching my thirst when my mouth goes dry,

Soaking it with security, readjusting my confidence, my pride.

So much, but just enough to get me back on my feet,

Walking on water…unbelievable.

YES! They thought I couldn’t make it,

But now I see, even the impossible can be.

Gone unnoticed, my water is my necessity.

Meaning more to me that I could ever mean,

‘cause without it, there would be no me.

Lately though, water’s been confusing me.

Like a lake in a drought, I’ve become empty.

One day, flooding my being with love and nourishment,

And the next, leaving me wondering where it went.

I’m guessing this is a new test from God,

Seeing if I’m grateful for what I’ve got.

Or maybe it’s to see,

If I have faith that it could be,

Possible for me to live, in trust and patience,

With water as my want, and not as my need.

Upon losing my hydration,

I’ve come to the realization,

That water is my want, faith in God is my want.

As long as I can survive through these times,

Of drought, with a gulp or even the smallest drop,

I’ll pass the test of trust and patience, and trust IN patience,

And will be rewarded with Gardens underneath which rivers flow.

I would love to be engulfed by water,

Not drowned, but ONE with water.

Though this is true, I want to naturally flow to,

Working hard to be deserving of it,

But great things come to those who wait for it,

So, I’ll work hard to hold off but strong from yearning for it.

Copyright (c) Nadir Keval

Poem: He said, She said
Poem: He said, She said 1280 800 Nadir Keval

He said that he loved her,
Was willing to give her
Himself, in every aspect.
She said that he lived and lied,
Cuz if he loved her as he claimed,
He wouldn’t have forgotten to show her respect.

The world claimed their love to be wrong,
Saying he was making mistakes,
And had forgotten all that made him strong.
They said she was playing him,
And that he’d be left with nothing.
But he trusted his love,
And he knew it wouldn’t just survive.
He was convinced it would thrive.

Months passed with patience,
And they grew closer than friends.
He said, “I want to take us serious,
But if you’re just having fun,
love me as you wish,
we won’t be unless you change.”
She said, “You gotta understand, I’m too young,
I want us to build that trust,
Before we take that plunge,
Into a life together forever.”

So much time had passed,
And they had become the best of friends.
He thought that maybe they were to take that step,
But her plans were elsewhere,
Saying that he had grown into a brother to her.

He said, “You broke my heart,
Ripped it out,
and shred it to pieces.
I never knew love would hurt like this,
I’ve just lost all trust in finding bliss
With you.”
She said, “You don’t understand,
I never knew this would happen.
I thought we’d be together too,
But I guess fate had other plans.”

Isn’t it plain to see?
Or is it just me?
That it’s clear to even heart’s that are blind,
She just looked him in the eyes,
And lied.
He was left broken,
And was robbed,
Of his very essence:
She took his heart.

Copyright © Nadir Keval
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