Mom’s Motivational Talk

Usually, I work 930-630 daily. Reach my doorstep at around 800pm.

The routine is that I prayed Maghrib at Tol Sg. Besi, and when I get home, most of my family members will be at my house’ ruang solat, and lying down, either being massaged, or just sitting down having some chitty chat session.

And quite often, as soon as I open the door and sit in with the crowd, always instantly that I get to listen to my Mom’s free motivational talk, which is quite interesting I suppose. Apart from having a hungry stomach, I knew that my soul needs more than my tummy.

And this has happen many times, that whatever my Mom’s preaching me, it is something that has just happened to me recently, either a mistake that I made, or something that really make my day (ok mistake can also make our day). The point is, my Mom is not saying this and that to me personally. Usually, it is something that has happen to her recently, and she just wants to remind herself of what is the best thing to do, as a muslim. And so far, they never fail to struck me. Words of wisdom.

And today, she went on and on about how we should handle our anger. You know, idfa’ billati hiya ahsan which means ‘Repel (the evil) with one which is better’.

So dear readers, whenever you get mad/angry, my Mom has told you to do these 3 things:

1. When the fire starts to spark, try to be as silent as you can. I mean, are there anything harder than not doing something/anything? If the other person still tries to argue, suggest to him/her some other time, so that we can wait until our fire to calm itself. Let the Syaitans lose their momentum.

2. Husnu zhon (think positive). The person, in any possible way is just doing a mistake. He/She didn’t mean it. And if he/she does, it’s due to certain difficulties that makes him/her do it. You need to be extra creative to think positive. Imagine the person you are angry with is you. Aha then suddenly you become excellent in providing thousands of excuses why you did that “mistake”.

3. Give present to those who you are angry with (I know this is the hardest. Even a smile seems hard am I right?).

So that’s it. One final advice, if you want to teach/educate people, do it with love.

p.s. One way that I use to persuade my little brother Aiman to do what I want (the right thing of course) is to say to him something like,

“Aiman it’s time to pray.”

“…”

“You know, good boys pray”

“… What about bad boys?”

“Well they don’t.”

“Ok.”

“So you want to be good boy or bad boy?”

“Good boy”

“Good” (this part is done best with a hug. But you know sometimes ego is there so..)

But to be honest, it is always tempting just to persuade with one single order.

“Aiman it’s time for pray. Stop playing/watching ps3/youtube/etc”

(quite a long p.s.)

Selamat Hari Raya AidilAdha. Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum.