A wise man once said, goals that are not written down are just wishes.
So, since the world did not end last week, I have decided today, after spending all my year-end bonus in Singapore, to write down all my wishes and hopefully, it will turn to goals (terrible pun not intended).
Looking down the rather short list, I noted that this list (except for one particular item) is a worldly list. And, a selfish one at that. Nothing about feeding the poor or striving for world peace or saving the whales or fighting the jihad in Palestine. It's all about me. And, I suppose it does say something about me.... I am a worldly, somewhat materialistic person.
I traced back my life and I saw that I was not a worldly and materialistic person until maybe 10 years ago. That's when, after reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I realised that life has been making all the decisions for me. That's how I end up to be what I am, where I am now. Not that I am doing badly, and every time I prostrate in my daily prayer, I thank Allah for all that He has given me and I pray that He will not take it away. But, in the back of my mind, there is this little voice that keeps saying, you could have done better.
There are places I want to see, things I want to do and luxurious things I want and would like to have. Worldly things, pleasurable things that some more religious people would shun, because these things distract you from your obligations.
There were times, I thought, yes Allah did not want me to have these things because then I will lose my way... I will stray from the right path... That I will become irresponsible... Maybe probably, I would have, should I acquired all that I desired when I was younger. I am older now, and as you grow older, you tend to care less about what people think or say about you, and you begin to do things that pleases you, not wanting to show-off, or impress anyone. Maybe it is just mid-life crisis kicking in... but what the heck... now that the children are growing up and becoming more independent, I don't think it's wrong to start pampering myself, before I die.....
Forgot to put bungee jumping on the list.
So, since the world did not end last week, I have decided today, after spending all my year-end bonus in Singapore, to write down all my wishes and hopefully, it will turn to goals (terrible pun not intended).
Looking down the rather short list, I noted that this list (except for one particular item) is a worldly list. And, a selfish one at that. Nothing about feeding the poor or striving for world peace or saving the whales or fighting the jihad in Palestine. It's all about me. And, I suppose it does say something about me.... I am a worldly, somewhat materialistic person.
I traced back my life and I saw that I was not a worldly and materialistic person until maybe 10 years ago. That's when, after reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I realised that life has been making all the decisions for me. That's how I end up to be what I am, where I am now. Not that I am doing badly, and every time I prostrate in my daily prayer, I thank Allah for all that He has given me and I pray that He will not take it away. But, in the back of my mind, there is this little voice that keeps saying, you could have done better.
There are places I want to see, things I want to do and luxurious things I want and would like to have. Worldly things, pleasurable things that some more religious people would shun, because these things distract you from your obligations.
There were times, I thought, yes Allah did not want me to have these things because then I will lose my way... I will stray from the right path... That I will become irresponsible... Maybe probably, I would have, should I acquired all that I desired when I was younger. I am older now, and as you grow older, you tend to care less about what people think or say about you, and you begin to do things that pleases you, not wanting to show-off, or impress anyone. Maybe it is just mid-life crisis kicking in... but what the heck... now that the children are growing up and becoming more independent, I don't think it's wrong to start pampering myself, before I die.....
Forgot to put bungee jumping on the list.
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