Lulua
12-02-2002, 06:03
12 Valentine's Day Resolutions
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Normally, people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, hoping to change their lives by maintaining good habits over the course of 12 months.
But Valentine's Day is an interesting occasion to think about some of our behavior, especially regarding our self-image, who we love, and our relationship with the opposite sex.
Here are some "resolutions":
1. Boycott the mirror
Forget vanity. Of course, comb your hair, wash your face, do what you've got to do. But avoid spending time with the mirror. You'll notice, you may start paying more attention to how you feel and think.
2. Reduce the number of mirrors in the house
This will make it easier to do the above. Also, see if this action leads to you and the family focusing more on behavior than if your hair is blow dried right, there's a zit on your nose, or any of the other worries we usually have about our looks.
3. Don't compare yourself in looks and money to others
How often have we envied the beautiful? Or the rich? Too often perhaps. In our celebrity-saturated culture, beautiful, rich and famous people can become idols people seek to not only worship but emulate.
Instead, say Alhamdu lillah. Allah has given me eyes I can see with, a nose, lips, etc. I'm normal, I can function, and no, I am not ugly. Say Alhamdu lillah, I have a job, I have an education, I am not poor. Too often we compare unfairly. Let's avoid that.
4. Don't watch T.V. or read magazines
What adds to our excessive love of physical beauty is the media: ads in magazines, commercials, soap operas, etc. featuring "perfect" human beauty.
Turn off the T.V. and ditch People's Magazine. See how long you can do this and see what a difference it makes in your life.
Also, check out Sound Vision's unTV guide
5. Make a Top Ten List
Remind yourself of the blessings Allah has given you. This will not only make your realize how content you should be, but also, it can help you realize how much all of us really need to love Allah and be grateful to Him for all of His blessings.
Try coming up with a Top Ten list of things to be grateful for. Write it up, maybe stick it somewhere you can see it. Whenever you feel depressed, fearful, or insecure, read and remind yourself of how much you do have.
6. Ask yourself, Who Do I Love?
If Valentine's Day is about love, then who do you really love? And why do you love them? Are they the center of your life? If so, why? What have they done for you to deserve your love?
Make a Top Ten list, in order of importance, of people you love with one sentence beside it explaining why you do. Then think about additions, subtractions, or changes in the order.
7. Consider loving Allah
Think about it: who gave you life, everything you have, every breath you take, your job, your education, your parents, your spouse, your kids, your siblings, your breakfast this morning, that great raise you got the other day? Allah, of course.
Think about the implications of loving Allah. How does that translate into action in your daily life? Ask yourself, do I even know Allah well enough? Maybe I need to read some more about Him?
8. Then consider the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
Do I understand the role he plays in my life, with me, today, at this time, in this country, in this city as a Muslim? Do I know enough about him to love him? What does loving him mean? How does it affect me everyday?
9. Self-evaluate your behavior and habits
Too often, we lament over how many pounds we've gained over the last year (or month or day) or how much hair we've lost in the last couple of years.
Shift this attention to behavior and ask yourself some questions about your behavior. Better yet, ask yourself whom you really love, and who or what you're really worshiping.
For some self-evaluation help, check out Sound Vision's short self-evaluation guide.
10. Lower your gaze
Now that you're focusing on content instead of looks with yourself, why not do the same with others?
Lower your gaze when you encounter the guys/girls on the street, at school, at work etc. This doesn't mean looking at the ground. It includes avoiding staring at someone who looks good to us. Let's not forget: looks don't tell us the whole story about ourselves, and it's the same with others.
11. Never give another Valentine's Day card
Read up on what Valentine's Day is really about and vow never to write up and give another Valentine's Day card again. Use your money for Eid cards to family and friends instead.
12. Send a Just Say No to Valentine's Day card to five Muslims you know in Muslim countries
The Western cultural onslaught has already begun hitting the Muslim world. Don't be surprised to see Muslims sending each other Happy Valentine's Day greetings in Muslim countries. Educate Muslim family members and friends about it. Send them a Just Say No To Valentine's Day card.
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Normally, people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, hoping to change their lives by maintaining good habits over the course of 12 months.
But Valentine's Day is an interesting occasion to think about some of our behavior, especially regarding our self-image, who we love, and our relationship with the opposite sex.
Here are some "resolutions":
1. Boycott the mirror
Forget vanity. Of course, comb your hair, wash your face, do what you've got to do. But avoid spending time with the mirror. You'll notice, you may start paying more attention to how you feel and think.
2. Reduce the number of mirrors in the house
This will make it easier to do the above. Also, see if this action leads to you and the family focusing more on behavior than if your hair is blow dried right, there's a zit on your nose, or any of the other worries we usually have about our looks.
3. Don't compare yourself in looks and money to others
How often have we envied the beautiful? Or the rich? Too often perhaps. In our celebrity-saturated culture, beautiful, rich and famous people can become idols people seek to not only worship but emulate.
Instead, say Alhamdu lillah. Allah has given me eyes I can see with, a nose, lips, etc. I'm normal, I can function, and no, I am not ugly. Say Alhamdu lillah, I have a job, I have an education, I am not poor. Too often we compare unfairly. Let's avoid that.
4. Don't watch T.V. or read magazines
What adds to our excessive love of physical beauty is the media: ads in magazines, commercials, soap operas, etc. featuring "perfect" human beauty.
Turn off the T.V. and ditch People's Magazine. See how long you can do this and see what a difference it makes in your life.
Also, check out Sound Vision's unTV guide
5. Make a Top Ten List
Remind yourself of the blessings Allah has given you. This will not only make your realize how content you should be, but also, it can help you realize how much all of us really need to love Allah and be grateful to Him for all of His blessings.
Try coming up with a Top Ten list of things to be grateful for. Write it up, maybe stick it somewhere you can see it. Whenever you feel depressed, fearful, or insecure, read and remind yourself of how much you do have.
6. Ask yourself, Who Do I Love?
If Valentine's Day is about love, then who do you really love? And why do you love them? Are they the center of your life? If so, why? What have they done for you to deserve your love?
Make a Top Ten list, in order of importance, of people you love with one sentence beside it explaining why you do. Then think about additions, subtractions, or changes in the order.
7. Consider loving Allah
Think about it: who gave you life, everything you have, every breath you take, your job, your education, your parents, your spouse, your kids, your siblings, your breakfast this morning, that great raise you got the other day? Allah, of course.
Think about the implications of loving Allah. How does that translate into action in your daily life? Ask yourself, do I even know Allah well enough? Maybe I need to read some more about Him?
8. Then consider the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
Do I understand the role he plays in my life, with me, today, at this time, in this country, in this city as a Muslim? Do I know enough about him to love him? What does loving him mean? How does it affect me everyday?
9. Self-evaluate your behavior and habits
Too often, we lament over how many pounds we've gained over the last year (or month or day) or how much hair we've lost in the last couple of years.
Shift this attention to behavior and ask yourself some questions about your behavior. Better yet, ask yourself whom you really love, and who or what you're really worshiping.
For some self-evaluation help, check out Sound Vision's short self-evaluation guide.
10. Lower your gaze
Now that you're focusing on content instead of looks with yourself, why not do the same with others?
Lower your gaze when you encounter the guys/girls on the street, at school, at work etc. This doesn't mean looking at the ground. It includes avoiding staring at someone who looks good to us. Let's not forget: looks don't tell us the whole story about ourselves, and it's the same with others.
11. Never give another Valentine's Day card
Read up on what Valentine's Day is really about and vow never to write up and give another Valentine's Day card again. Use your money for Eid cards to family and friends instead.
12. Send a Just Say No to Valentine's Day card to five Muslims you know in Muslim countries
The Western cultural onslaught has already begun hitting the Muslim world. Don't be surprised to see Muslims sending each other Happy Valentine's Day greetings in Muslim countries. Educate Muslim family members and friends about it. Send them a Just Say No To Valentine's Day card.
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