.Me.

The ego is a veil between humans and God.

The first stage of sincerity is that your private and public state should be the same.

A boy said to a man “I want happiness.” The man said “Remove ‘I’ - that is your ego. Remove ‘want’ - that is your desire. And what remains is your happiness.

For those nights you’ve been holding a screaming baby, standing and rocking, waking and stumbling, exhausted and bleary For the months where you watch people post pictures of their newborn babies, their pregnancy announcements, their children’s milestones- God protect and bless them all- and you cry silently at the loss of the baby that was once in your womb, or the womb that feels so painfully lonely because you fear it will never house your baby For the days you wonder how you’re going through get through it as a single parent, how you’re ever going to be enough for the people that depend on you in every way For the years that fly by as you battle depression, physical pain and personal struggles all while trying to still be the best parent you can possibly be with all of your issues For those moments of guilt. Of never being good enough. For the physical pain. And for the emotional torture of worrying, of fearing, of missing, of wishing, of regretting, of trying to continue, of hurting. For the tears you’ve cried, you’ve sobbed, you’ve dried and then started over again for your grown child who doesn’t return your texts, who never returns your calls, who you wonder about every minute of every day Remember: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.” (Quran, 18:30) With the right intention, every moment of your pain, every effort you put forth- it isn’t forgotten. Even when your children forget, He remembers. Even when others don’t understand your struggles, He knows. Even when others don’t appreciate, He rewards. Even when no one can comfort, He is the light of the Heavens and the earth. God is your light. And: “He is with you wherever you are.” (Quran, 57:4)

LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER: “My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.” Must share .