Finding Happiness in The Simple Things

you know, you ever have moments where you're like, why did this happen to me? Why am I so unhappy and miserable? Why do I keep getting my hopes up for opportunities and having them dashed when they don't work out my way?

I think it is so human of us, to have this idea of our future or even our current state, of wanting things in a certain time frame and the steps we will take to get there. Don't get me wrong it is good to set goals and expectations for ourselves to motivate our accomplishments and to become better people. But when it doesn't go the way we had been hoping, we blame ourselves for getting attached to this plan and we shouldn't have let our emotions get in the way.

I normally consider myself such a positive person but I know when my plans fail or my hopes or dashed, i automatically go into this mind space that well it's my fault, because I did this and this and that I wasn't doing enough of something or too much of something that is why the end results are not in my favor.

What I am starting to realizing in building my faith and becoming closer to Allah, is that bad things can connect you to your Creator and help you reflect on the lessons you learned, the experience you gained and that you could have been saved from something very terrible and there could also be something even better in store for you. 

In the moment of your unhappiness, heart broken state, frustrated , angry state all you can see is the negative, that you wasted your time and had this plan and nothing good came out of it. That you worked hard for this thing you wanted so badly and you didn't get to see any positive results.

I realize that I feel like an adult but sometimes I can be very immature in my emotions especially when I am upset, I feel like the whole world is against me. And I am so miserable and blame myself and others for feeling this way. 

The reality of the situation is , Allah presents us with certain situations to remind us that He knows best, He is the best of providers and planners, and He ultimately is the one who brings us happiness and sustenance. Even if a situation looks bad, it cleanses us of our sins, reminds us that life is not perfect and our ultimate goal is to find eternal happiness in the afterlife, and to bring us closer to our Creator who will listen to our grief and give us peace and contentment in our hearts. 

Prayer has been that peace of happiness for me , something simple as prayer gives us a reminder of who we belong to and will return to and it gives me a sigh of relief for the hectic and chaos that is my life filled with work, family, events and friends. I am reminded that Allah is greater than my problems, fears and worries and when I bow to Allah that I trust and rely on Him to give me what is best.

Reflection is something that is also simple that has been bringing me peace and happiness lately. Reflecting on things I have done or said, reflecting on the blessings I have, reflecting on the words of Allah and the beauty that is all around us in nature and in the world. Reflecting about things people have said negative or positive. I found happiness in taking walks in nature, in making lists and crossing them off and in keeping in touch with loving and supportive people.

I have found happiness through my hard work and accomplishments, my goals and completing them and in learning and growing as a person despite my challenges and difficulties. I have found happiness through cleaning and doing laundry, knowing that I have one less thing piled up waiting for me. 

Just remember in times of sadness or despair that Allah is near and look at the little simple things to find that happiness.