Author: Kulsoom Kazim

We should take everything as a blessing, and not be saddened over small things.
We need to open our eyes and see those who smile despite every reason to cry.

Take a look around and see the people who are not happy with their Blackberries,
Or at those stressed with home renovations, because of extra money on their hands.
Take a look at the upset child without his favourite meal – rather he ate at a restaurant.

Now close your eyes, and imagine those without a roof on their head.
Imagine the little boy who continues to smile despite having lost a leg.
Imagine having only one piece of bread to eat every day.
Just imagine the lives of others on the Earth.

Why? Why are we so ungrateful?

Are we ungrateful because we have extra clothes to wear?
Because we have a variety of foods to choose from?
Are we upset because we have to share a room with our siblings?
Or are we sad because we have to attend school with our friends?

Is that a reason to be ungrateful?

We often wake up day after day and go to school with big frowns on our faces.
We greet people with negativity and walk around as if we haven’t been given anything.
We think so much of ourselves that we forget about the whole planet around us.
It’s so sad, pathetic actually. The world can be such an evil and selfish place, but we don’t have to be!

Take a moment to think about others.
Put yourself in others’ shoes and walk around to understand the paths they have to tread.

“Indeed, We guided him [i.e., man] to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful”
[Quran 76: 3]

We can choose one of two paths, so why not choose the one with the better ending?
Why not choose the one that will benefit you in this world and the hereafter
Open your eyes, and look around now, you have endless blessings to be grateful for.
Open your eyes, and look around now, you have every reason to say “Alhamdulillah“