The New Year is upon us and the topic of goals is on the rise. No matter your goal, given the ongoing global crisis, conquering hardship is always something we strive towards.
While you decide what you will focus on this year, I want to offer a model of how to do so inspired by the story of our beloved Prophet Musa (peace be upon him).
These lessons can apply to all goals whether they’re mental, fitness, financial or just plain survival.
1) Recognize how your actions got you to where you are. Hold yourself accountable.
Before ever deciding to change your endpoint, you need to reflect on how you got there. What, if anything, did you do (or not do) that contributed to being in the situation you want to change?
If there are things that are truly not your fault, what are the circumstances around you that you have power over to make things a little easier?
Prophet Musa demonstrates a humble approach to this strategy.
{One day he entered the city unnoticed by its people. There he found two men fighting: one of his people, and the other of his enemies. The man from his people called to him for help against his foe. So Moses punched him, causing his death. Moses cried, “This is from Satan’s handiwork. He is certainly a sworn, misleading enemy.”
He pleaded, “My Lord! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me.” So He forgave him, ˹for˺ He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. } (Al-Qasas 28: 15-16]
2) Have hope that when things become emotionally overwhelming, God will help you.
If you ever ask a mom if she could do what Musa’s mom was called to do, the answer is a resounding “never.” The human heart and mind are overwhelmingly powerful, but they are also servants of God when we turn them over to Him.
Musa’s mother wasn’t acting on bravery and false tawakkul when she placed her son into a roaring river without knowing what would happen next. She was terrified, overwhelmed and hesitant. In fact, so hesitant that she had regrets and nearly revealed the plan. Had she done that, Musa would’ve been killed like all the other baby boys of Bani Israel. But Allah says: {And the heart of Moses’ mother ached so much that she almost gave away his identity, had We not reassured her heart for her to have faith ˹in Allah’s promise˺.} (Al-Qasas 28:10)
Know that this blessing is afforded to you too. Whether it’s through positive thinking, mental health counselling or building new habits, assess your needs to transform your mind and heart and take that path.
3) Turn to deal, even if you don’t know what to ask for.
I’ve had many times where it felt like the challenges ahead of me were so heavy; that I didn’t even know what to make duaa for to relieve me of them.
This is the nature of the crisis. It catches us so off guard; that we don’t know what to say. But Duaa doesn’t have to be a beautifully curated monologue. It just needs to come from the heart.
4) Recognize your limitations and seek help.
{And my brother Aaron is more eloquent than I, so send him with me as a helper to support what I say, for I truly fear they may reject me.} (Al-Qasas 28:34)
Whatever your goal is, inspect your circle for those who can support you. Accountability buddies, mentors, hype men/women… let people lift you so you don’t fall!
Apply these prophetic pearls of wisdom to any goal and watch yourself soar!
