We discussed self discovery in our previous blog. During the process of discovering oneself, we often land in a pool of self doubts.
Has it ever happened that you started something new, tried something new and you were super excited and in the midst of this excitement when you faced glassy stares and improbable questions of people, a slow voice of self doubt creeped in? And in this muddled and conflicting emotion, we often ask ourselves, 'Am I on the straight path, am I doing right, are my decisions sound etc.?'
Most often the fear of an uncertain future, or the fear of a chaotic present, or the fear of the past hound us and we hold ourselves back from growing in the path of Allah then we should muster up courage and take the leap of faith, just as Prophet Musa `alayhi-salam did. Up until his conversation with Allah, Prophet Musa `alayhi-salam had no idea why he had endured so much hardship all through his life. There, however, at the sacred valley of Tuwa, all became clear; he was being prepared to be Exclusively for Allah.
And when he expressed his uncertainty and fears, he was relieved and his heart was lightened, and he had resolute and unshakeable faith to face the tyrant, Firawn.
Whenever we are in a situation that fills our hearts with doubts let's find these signs to compose our troubled hearts that we are on the right path.
Firstly, if in the midst of all the ups and downs, if you still feel a sense of peace in knowing that everything happens for a reason and you accept it and acknowledge it, then it's a sign you are on the right path.
Secondly, after going through a period of solitude which shifts your focus inward towards discovering what resonates most with you, if this period of time taught you self-love and self-care, then you are on the right path.
Thirdly, when the people around you are experiencing big wins and it can be sometimes hard to see your own progress in real time, however, if you experience your joy in their joy, then you are on the right path.
Fourthly, When you desire to find balance between what "feels right" and what "makes sense". You value logic but you also value the language of your soul and the feelings that come from your gut and follow it, then you are on the right path.
So For all those who struggle every single day,
For all those who find it difficult yet persevere,
For all those who are exhausted, yet continuing to strive,
Hang on a little longer,
For indeed with every hardship will be Ease, Indeed, with every Hardship will be Ease. (Surah Ash-Sharh 94: 5-6)
Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later. So learn to trust the journey even when you do not understand it and learn to embrace uncertainty with Tawakkul.
“Trusting that there is a next step is the first step to figuring out what the next step is.” — Jennifer Williamson
As much as this experience is rare and beautiful, it is complex and confusing as well. But we’re not here to figure everything out. We are here to live everyday, we’re meant to feel every single feeling we feel, we’re to face every trial, celebrate every triumph, sit through every heartache, grow from every lesson, cry every tear, and live every moment to the best of our ability.
Don’t regret the past or fear the future. Both bring misery through self-doubt.
Instead Have conviction that Allah is by your side,
Have conviction He wants you to be the best version of yourself.
The next time grief, fear, pain, loss, detachment, rejection, disappointments fill your heart with doubts then remember Allah saying this to you, “I am preparing you for myself”, “I chose you for myself”.
For as believers, our final destination is Jannah and we ought to choose all the means we can to get there. And for us to be admitted into Jannah, we've got to better ourselves and make ourselves worthy of being from the people of Jannah.
