Gratitude List: Happy Friday November 16h 2012!

Salam folks and Sabaa7 al Khayr (Good Morning)!!!

I feel so happy today, like a tiny little weight has been lifted off my shoulders and even a tiny little knife pulled from my back! Yesterday was a bit difficult but today is a new day to make it count.

One of my life goals (check out my buckit list which is soon due for a revamp!) is to show more daily gratitude.
One of the steps towards that goal is to write a Gratitude List every Friday inshallah which I hope to post on this blog. Friday is special for Muslim folks especially because it is the day of the congregation prayer. No matter what has been happening before in my life or even if the khutba (the lecture) is not done well (and they do happen!), I always feel better after I attend prayer. As soon as I step out the mosque I feel rejuvenated alhamdoolilah.

I used to list 50 things I was grateful for but I think for the purpose of efficiency I should knock that list down to 5-10 things instead with more reflection. If you want to submit your own gratitude list just contact me at furiouslyfabmuslima@gmail.com. 

Thank God for...

1. Fresh and Healthy Foods.

Loss of power from Hurricane Sandy meant no refrigeration. No refrigeration meant we lost a lot of food and had to resort to eating things that we wouldn't normally eat. Subhanallah we had a lot less energy and our moods plummeted. We gained weight and everyday we moaned for our fresh veggies to come back to us! Alhamdooillah we have the means to afford healthy foods. Many people can't. Alhamdoolilah we got power back a few days ago. There are many people who still have neither because of Sandy...

2. My Sister.

She has seen me in my highest and lowest moments and has been there every step, adventure, and tragedy that followed. She is one of the best gifts I was ever blessed with in my life. 

3. My daughter's health and patience.

I looked at Sou sou when this all happened...when we wrapped her up in blankets at night, when she ate ramen noodles all day, when I had to lift her over debris and towering piles of sand as we explored our neighborhood, when we held hands and led our way down the streets with our makeshift flashlight. She is so young, but she is so strong. No matter what has happened in her life she has always smiled through it and gave me purpose alhamdoolilah. I am blessed.

4. Our Neighbors.

The best part of living on my street in the Rockaways are the people. Unlike the rest of New York haha, they actually smile and say hi. They helped us lift our groceries, watch Sou sou, and came by with blankets and a heater. They really care and looked out for us when they suffered more damage subhanallah. 

5. Light

When sis and I used to live in Philly we had a huge warehouse apartment. The design meant only a tiny section got natural light and it did make a difference! A lot of New York apartments are like that as well, with very small windows. Our apartment however alhamdooilah can get that beautiful morning glow all over. And I love waking up to it. I am also grateful for fake light haahaha! aka electricity too so I can stay up past 5 pm and do things like read, clean, cook, and work on my business. 

Thank you ALlah for all that you have given me. Thank you for giving me more yet still when I can not hope to count my blessings and when I fall so utterly short from appreciating them! Thank you for trying me despite my impatience and yet offering me relief. Alhamdoolilah ya rabb alameen.  

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 

― Mother Teresa