29/08/2024
BE GRATEFUL
I asked an orphan once what's that one thing you want that will change your life, bring happiness into your life? He said, 'Boots'. And in my childhood I was in love with Reebok, Nike and adidas and I was fortunate to have a father who bought me whatever pair I wanted.
Subhan Allah.
I asked his brother the same question, he said, 'Uniform'. I used to have several sets for the year, tailored every year by one of the best tailors in Sharjah. And here were two boys, who think they can be happy forever if they can have these two things.
Subhan Allah.
I asked an IDP in 2009, what he needs. He said, 'Blood for my sick child'. While his child was suffering from Thalassemia, and the family was on the run due to the conflict, they were not looking for food, their priority was to get him blood. While, we have an abundant supply of blood running in our systems.
Subhan Allah.
I asked a colleague how people in Thar are surviving the drought back in 2016 or 18, maybe. He said when they want to treat themselves, they wet chopped onions and have it with bread. And, we are blessed only with the best everyday.
Subhan Allah.
I asked a widow who gave away her girls in child marriage what should I do since I was not able to get funds in time for their future. She said with tears gushing out of her eyes, 'Dua for her girl that was facing domestic violence'. She wouldn't have faced the domestic violence if I had got sponsorship secured for her earlier and now all she needs is dua, even from strangers.
Subhan Allah.
I asked few orphan children, who were brothers and sisters, what they were doing with the 5-6 bricks they possessed and were playing with, what were they doing with it? They said they were building their home. They lived in a room then that could fall any day. Here, I sleep in my house in peace.
Subhan Allah.
I saw an old man, almost the age of anyone's grandfather. I was smoking outside the camp when I saw him coming out of the camp site, a little amazed, visibly shaken and being followed by children who were teasing him. He thought he had lost eyesight or maybe needed a surgery, but all what he needed was a pair of glasses that Al Ehsan Welfare Eye Hospital gave it to him for free. He couldn't afford one for himself and now he could see again. And here is me, for the purpose of style I purchased a pair to look good on my wedding.
Subhan Allah.
We installed a hand pump outside the house of an old man. We went to ask him how is the pump helping. He said he was waiting for us for the past 40 years. For forty years, he wanted support to build a water hand pump, but was never able to collect enough funds in his lifetime to sort out the issue for his loved ones and community. For the past 38 years almost, I have had access to clean drinking water everyday.
Subhan Allah.
Let the weight of these words sink deep into your soul. For in the midst of our complaints and dissatisfaction, we forget to behold the blessings that surround us. We forget that the simplest of things - a pair of boots, a uniform, a glass of clean water - can be the greatest of luxuries to another.
Subhan Allah.
Let the stories of those who have been deprived of these basic necessities be a mirror to our own lives. Let us see the abundance we have been given, the comforts we have been afforded, and the opportunities we have been blessed with.
Subhan Allah.
Let gratitude be the garment we wear every day, the lens through which we view our lives. For when we choose to see the blessings, we begin to realize that our lives are not lacking, but overflowing. And it is in this overflow that we find true joy, true contentment, and true purpose.
Subhan Allah.
