Summer To-Do: Focus On You!
Mussarut Jabeen, ISLA Board Member
As we are considering whether and how to reopen our schools in the fall, and spending a good amount of our time and energy to look into all of the various scenarios that may pan out, it’s crucial that we take into consideration our own social-emotional well-being.
It seems in this process we are getting stressed out and it’s time that we take a step back, allow ourselves to have “brain breaks,” reflect on our own lives, and spirituality. We need to focus on ways to minimize our stress level and put our trust in Allah swt by seeking His guidance and blessings.
At least once a week do something that will be helpful to boost our social-emotional well-being and will rejuvenate us. Examples are: gardening, cooking, yoga, walk in a natural environment, reading a book, Quran recitation and tafseer, listening to Sheikh Omar Suleiman’s short spiritual and motivational talks and above all practicing “mindfulness.”
Additionally, Br. Wadud Hassan and Sr. Susan Labadi are long-time Islamic school educators and experts in helping with the mindfulness practices. Here’s an example of Br. Wadud’s mindfulness presentation and exercise that he shared at a recent Monday Admins’ Meeting hosted by ISLA:
Our dua’as are with all our sisters and brothers and we pray to Allah swt to help us in these difficult times, and may we become a support system for each other to overcome these hardships in sha Allah!
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَآ أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
English Transliteration: Lea yukallifulleahu nafsan illea vus’aahea lahea mea kasabat va aalayhea maktasabat raabbanea lea tueahıznea in naseenea av aahtaa’nea, raabbanea va lea taahmil aalaynea ısraan kamea haamaltahu aalallazeena min kaablinea, raabbanea va lea tuhaammilnea mea lea teakaata lanea bih(bihee), vaa’fu aannea, vaagfir lanea, varhaamnea, anta mavleanea fansurnea aalal kaavmil keafireen(keafireena).
Allah does not burden a soul but to the extent of their ability; for it is what it has earned (positive degrees), and upon it what it has earned (negative degrees). Our Lord! Do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not lay on us a burden as You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Do not impose upon us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us (manifest upon us with your Mercy attribute and send us your light of mercy). You are our Lord (Maulâ, Befriender Supporter, Protector…) so help us against the unbelieving people (Give us victory over the disbelieving people). (Quran, 2:285-286)
Ameen
