10 YEARS CHALLENGE OF REFLECTIONS & EVALUATIONS!

The 10 years challenge has the internet going crazy since the beginning of last week and it’s only right that I be a part of it. People are pulling out pictures from 10 years ago and even older. This challenge has brought about mostly laughs and has made us see changes in ourselves, time, technology and life at large.

Not to be a party pooper but as we look through these old pictures, I hope we see beyond the physical changes in our bodies and the pixels in our devices.

Let’s have a 10 years challenge of reflections and self evaluation.

• Who were you 10 years ago & who are you now?
• What has changed about you and what remains thesame?
• Have you unlocked truths or not?
• What have you learnt and unlearnt?
• Are you still bothered by things which used to bother you?
• Are your values still thesame?

Obviously, the answer to most of the above questions are no because a lot has definitely changed in 10 years and this post is here to help re-evaluate.

You no longer look thesame nor do you dress thesame. Both our body and mind have grown tremendously and the 10 years challenge not just shows how different things have become but also gives us a bigger opportunity for reflection and evaluation.

It’s also an opportunity to make preparations for 10 years from now. Sounds like a lot because it is.

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GROWTH & FAILURES

• Religion: putting religion first because I strongly have my beliefs and try to stand by them. I believe in a greater being that puts me here for a purpose. As a muslim who belives in Allah, my main purpose is to worship him and treat every act I engage in as worship.

In assessing yourself religiously, you can replace my religion with what you believe in.

*what sort of muslim was I 10 years ago compared to now? I’d say I was a good one. 14 years old in secondary school and doing everything my parents have taught me was the rightful thing to do as a muslim. It is safe to say I was following instructions even though I understood somethings. You never can tell how good you are at doing something until you have the freedom of not doing it.

Some things I’ve learnt and unlearnt as I’m now more aware of actions I take than I used to. Evey religious action I take has come from my conscious effort. From saying my salah, to adhkaar, reading the qur’an, reading about the deen at large, attending religious gatherings etc.

I’ve dropped some good habits and during the course of my reflection, I’ve realised I have to get back on them.

The past 10 years for me religiously can’t be said to have progressed or regressed because it has been a constant battle between both. Thankfully, I now know the button to push.

Take a moment to also reflect and evaluate yourself.

*what have you achieved?
*Have you progressed or regressed?
*How much of the Qur’an, hadith & the knowledge of the deen as a whole have you acquired?
*In which pillars of faith or sunnah have you become more steadfast?

Gently reflect on these, evaluate yourself and make room for changes you’d like to see. Begin to actualise or prepare to make changes for this is an opportunity not all of us from 10 years ago has. Start with a renewed energy and interest.

• Character and Speech: 10 years ago you might not have the british or American accent you have now or your diction wasn’t all that and I’m guessing that’s some form of upgrade yeah? I obviously didn’t speak as good as I do now and I express myself better.

I would never have thought about having a blog as I never saw this coming. I’ve gone through stages of having different dreams and ambitions but here we are. To the question;

*Are you fulfilled and happy where you are?
*If you aren’t, how do you plan on making it happen?

Even though I barely spoke, I was much careless in my speech. Over time I’ve become more confident, careful and I also take full responsibility for everything that slips out my mouth. I used to be rude and very defensive but I’m more calm since I now take responsibility. It gives me no reason to be rude.

*what character traits did you pocess that you weren’t proud and have made efforts to change? How far have you gone and have you succeeded?
*Are you more conscious of your speech or you could really care less how your words affect others?

Start making decisions you won’t regret 10 years to come.

• Appearance: The funniest of fashion trends I’ve seen in the 10 years challenge has got to be the abortion belt. I was also a part of that. It gets worse with the poses which we probably thought was the coolest thing then but looking back, the act looks retarded and I ask myself what on earth I was thinking.

This brings me to the point that the life of this world could be a total waste of time or a jackpot depending on the decisions we make and actions we take.

As some have seen their face gotten smoother, their skin even better, some have also seen their beautiful skin gone wrinkled and their sonorous voice all cracked up. We see growth and we see that things won’t last forever except the good we make out of them.

Yes, take care of your skin for it doesn’t belong to you. One day you’ll cease to be and it’ll eventually become dust. Take care of your dresses and clothe yourself properly. But most importantly, take care of your soul because it’ll always be you.

• Academics, Career and Finance: “awon to lowo lana da, won ti ku, won ti lo” ( where are those who were wealthy yesterday; they’re dead and gone). What are your academic achievements and how have you used your knowledge. Since knowledge cannot be taken away from you, seek beneficial knowledge, help people with it and let it elevate you.

What are your career achievements in the past 10years? Are they just titles or opportunities you have created for people when they thought they were lost?

Are you making money and great financial decisions or you spend on frivolities to impress people that don’t care about you or satisfy every of your desire. Inspire them or pepper them gang?

As I said, I’m not a party pooper but these reflections and evaluations on a bigger picture are a necessity to our growth and success.

Reflect on all of these, ponder on what you could have done differently and start to DO. It would take a lot of trials & error but trust me, it’s okay. Just don’t ever stop trying to be a better person and serve a purpose greater than yourself.

If the almighty permits and we aren’t dusts in the next ten years, it’d be great to see how far we have come . But occasionally, let’s re-evaluate because 10 years is a long shot that we might not meet.

I hope you find this blogpost soul lifting and revealing as it was an eye opener for me too. Also, I hope you start to make changes too.

You can share some of the changes you’re willing to make in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading.

Forgot to tell ya

Yes, I started a business a long time ago and recently just launched a new collection. Do check it out.

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Meedah!