LESSON OF THE DAY 805

Ayah of the Day:
You will not be able to guide everyone you love, but God guides whomever God will. And God knows better who is receptive to guidance. [28: 56]

Hadith of the Day:
A wise man is not wise until he acts upon what he knows. [Bayhaqi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Fools exult in life while the pious prepare for the journey ahead. A major portion of their wealth is spent in God's way, and they themselves suffice with the bare minimum, striving toward the Hereafter. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Guidance of the Day:
It is easy to spot those lessons that you perceive as opportunities, because they are attractive. Getting a big promotion at work does present certain lessons, such as responsibility and willingness. Becoming a parent for the first time teaches the lessons of patience and discipline. These lessons are easily recognized because they come wrapped up in attractive packages. Being open to their lessons isn't hard.

More difficult to recognize are the lessons that make it seem as though you are getting a raw deal from life. These lessons come wrapped in less attractive packages and tend to cause most people to quickly put on their resistance lenses. When you are not open to seeing your lessons, losing your job looks like a catastrophe rather than an opportunity to learn the lessons of forgiveness or flexibility. Experiencing heartbreak can look like a crisis, rather than a hint to learn the lessons of kindness or unattachment. Becoming a parent for the first time to a child who is disabled can appear to be punishment, rather than a chance to learn about healing or support. While the less attractive lessons may not be fun, they can actually be the biggest gifts you receive. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]

Food for Thought:
It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested. The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time when you feel you must say something or bust. Such power there is in clear-eyed self-restraint. Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom's root.