|
Putting on sun tan, swimming, keeping up with fashion, and staring at bright sunny colors — these are just some of the things that come to mind when we talk about summer. It is a time away from studying and hard work; it is a time to stop, look around you, and see what is happening in life.
You have to ask yourself how much will you appreciate and learn about life if you just watch TV all day or sit at the computer. Summer is a real test to see if you are a skillful Muslim. This means that you are able to take everyday mundane activities and turn them into something special, something you can learn and benefit from.
Reach Out
Why not make this summer a time when you learn to become a people person! You could brush up on your social skills and overcome any shyness you might have; you could increase your communication skills and practice initiating conversations and engaging with people. Try meeting up with people you do not know. Go with your family or friends and visit an Islamic center in a new place or even see people you have not seen in some time. Make your intention that you will be the one who reaches out and starts a conversation or makes someone else feel good.
When you meet someone for the first time, you have to be aware that everyone has good and bad points so take the good they have to offer and do not be affected by any negative influence. This means if you are spending time with someone and getting to know him or her, you might find some habits or behavior that you do not like. So you have to be strong, and be able to say "no" if you are invited to do something wrong. This does not necessarily mean that you have to cut off all relations with this person: It just means that you are aware of the downside of that person, but you should be able to build on the commonalities between you both. If you try to build on the good aspects and behavior of the person, you will be encouraging them to do good and be better as well as reminding yourself of the same.
Also, when you are sitting with your family you could use your time in really constructive ways. For example, each of you could have some paper and write these three words on it: continue, stop, and start.
Because your family is made up of the people who know you best, you could discuss the things you should continue to do in the summer. This would be things that you are good at and that you could develop further.
Under stop you could discuss the things that you should stop doing — bad habits or negative behavior. Then, finally you can talk about the things that you should start doing. When you build your goals together and are witnesses for one another, you will be able to encourage each other to stick to this plan. Try to do this at the beginning of the summer, and see how you go. It is not just about pinpointing faults and weaknesses, but developing strengths and potentials.
Significance of Social Communication
Having the ability to reach out to people and communicate well is a blessing because you will never be alone; you will have people to discuss your problems and dreams with; and you will have people to share special times with. You will never be lonely. Almighty Allah created us as social creatures, so we need one another.
Another people thing you can do in summer is gathering with your family and friends and traveling. Meeting new people and visiting new places is a good thing to do. Almighty Allah created different kinds of people with various cultures, and if we can learn to appreciate these differences and see the richness of life we can only be more grateful for being alive and knowing one another. Sometimes we will see people who are less fortunate than us and so we will be grateful. Sometimes we will meet people who admire us and this will make us feel good! At other times we will just be observing the richness of life, and at such times we will be filled with a sense of gratitude.
Keep in mind that the skillful Muslim is able to derive lessons wherever he or she is and whatever he or she is doing. So when you see the beauty of nature and the diversity of people, you will remember how wonderful Almighty Allah's creation is.
|
