What Defines Us?

On Being a Bumble Bee - Mona Eltahawy

What defines you? Does anything? What are you experiences that brought you to where you are now? How can we take those experience, both positive and negative, and see how they have helped us grow? Are we thankful for these experiences and our growth or can we find ways to be that way?

These are questions surrounding part of our discussion of our theme of gratitude at our bi-monthly discussion. We looked into how the things we encountered in our past have allowed us to come to where we are now. Even if we are not exactly where we may want to ultimately end up in life, we discussed how to look at our present and build upon it to create a positive atmosphere to propel us into the future.

We also discussed the role of God in guiding us on our paths and how giving thanks was one way to not only acknowledge what we have accomplished so far in life or where life is taking us, but also to help us stop and see the positive aspects of our journey and how important each step has been in moving us along that journey.

We talked about our relationship to our fellow humans and if we learn to be thankful for what we have, it can also inspire us to look to others for help, to help and to move along with in our journeys. Selfishness, while sometimes seemingly innate, is something one can learn to grow beyond and learn to find a process to recover from the selfishness spiral.

This month's focus is on thanks, because of Thanksgiving at the end of the month, and on religion and the media, because of the recent elections and other world events occuring around us. So, how we combine image, journey, thanks and definition of one's self in relation to God and others have been common elements in our discussions.

What are your thoughts?

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Verses from the discussion:

It is not permitted for a person to die except by God's leave in an appointed record. Whoever wants the rewards of this world We give him of it, and whoever wants the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. We will reward the thankful. Qu'ran 3:145

God is the One who committed the sea, that you may eat from it a tender meat, and that you may extract from it pearls that you wear. You see the ships flowing through it, so that you may seek from His bounty, and that you may be thankful. Qu'ran 16:14

God is the One Who made the night and the day in succession, for those who wish to remember or wish to be thankful. Qu'ran 25:62

One who had knowledge from the book said, "I will bring it to you before you blink." So when he saw it resting before him, he said, "This is from the grace of my Lord, so that He tests me whether I am thankful or whether I reject. As for he who is thankful, he is thankful for himself, and as for he who rejects, then my Lord is Rich, Bountiful." Qu'ran 27:40

We had given Luqman the wisdom: "You shall be thankful to God, and whoever is thankful is being thankful for his own good. As for whosoever rejects, then God is Rich, Praiseworthy." Qu'ran 31.12

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love. He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift! He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last— Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof. All that he makes and does is honest and true: He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. The good life begins in the fear of God— Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever! Psalm 111

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Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com

Epiphany

"I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers." ~Kahlil Gibran

Reconsidering what one thinks of a person can be a difficult path, but a necessary one sometimes, especially if our impression of a person is possibly based on inconsistencies from our very selves.

I found myself in this position today after reading a particular news article highlighting a person I admire greatly. The person was being compared and contrasted to a person I find very irksome and, in some ways, irrational in her approach to certain philosophies I hold. I cheered as the article implied my "hero" could never be in the same realm as the "annoying one." Then, as the article was closing, I read something shocking to me. The two people were friends.

It made perfect sense in retrospect, but I was so set on the two people having nothing in common, it never occurred to me the two could be amiable to each other. It then also occurred to me that I could possibly be friends with this person if I knew them. This made me stop and really think.

One of things I enjoy most in life is finding the possible in the impossible and I was not doing this here. I had to face the fact that in this situation, I was being the very type of person I often criticize others for being; someone who is judgmental and too critical of others who do not fit into their perfect bubble of life.

This evening, in flipping through my Zen calendar, I found the words of Khalil Gibran noted above and found the very strong message I believe I was to learn.

Life lessons often come from unexpected sources and sometimes we have to delve into the very places we may not want to look.

Verse about judgment:

"Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of God." Quran 38:26

"Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until God issues judgment; God is the best judge." Quran 10:109

Muslim Rebel Sisters: At Odds with Islam and Each Other

Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com