

Amplifying and Engaging the Voices of Youth...
MY Voice is a non-profit, youth-run organization that strives to empower youth by providing them with opportunities to exercise their creativity through a positive media platform
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s that time of the year again. School starts. We go through another rigorous year of all-nighters and finger cramps so that we can get honors on our report card, get a job, raise a family and the whole Canadian dream montage. However, sometimes all of our plans will not work out. Allah says “Do the people think that they will say, ‘We Believe’ and they will not be tried?” (Quran 29:2).
Thus, know henceforth whatever direction we take, it will not necessarily be an easy one, filled with obstacle and distractions.
We have an even harder time staying in one direction since habitually we are sidetracked by losing focus on what we are doing. I myself am guilty of it. Whenever I am under a pile of homework, I suddenly become the most responsible family member, doing household chores, which I would have never done otherwise.
Clearly, we face many obstacles and distractions, but nonetheless, if the effort is put in, anything can be achieved. Whether we go in the direction of an intellectual, physical, or spiritual pursuit, the destination can always be reached.
Now how do we travel in the direction we have chosen, without being distracted, or held back by obstacles? I have 3 pieces of life advice that have worked for me whenever I embark on a journey of self-improvement, and hopefully, will work for you guys as well.
Considering that we are Muslim, you would think that I would have said something more related to Islam on how to succeed in worldly matters. However, I emphasized how to deal with the strife of self-improvement, and how to overcome obstacles and ignore distractions. Well, is that not exactly what Islam is? Islam is the constant strife of improving oneself, overcoming calamities, and ignoring the distraction of the haram. You will see that just as the 3 pieces of advice I gave will help you with any direction of self-improvement you take, it will also help you with your Islam.
And with that, I leave you on your own journeys of self-improvement, and remind you of our end goal as Muslims, which is to attain heaven.
‘The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.’-Carl Rogers
MY Voice is a non-profit, youth-run organization that strives to empower youth by providing them with opportunities to exercise their creativity through a positive media platform.