Muaz Saleh is a blog writer based in Toronto, Canada. He's interested in all things tech, science, and soccer, and likes to play card games with his family in his free time.


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Muaz Saleh


# What Is Your Mind Full Of?

Mindfulness is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although it dates back to the 16th century, its use was largely overlooked until about 1965. Since then, the concept has seen a remarkable rise in prominence, especially in places like California, where mindfulness practices have been integrated into corporate wellness programs. But a deeper question remains: 

> What is your mind full of?

Mindfulness, as it's commonly understood today, originates from Buddhism. The Buddha's teachings on mindfulness are encapsulated in the term "Sati," which translates to the remembrance of sacred scriptures. This concept is strikingly similar to the Islamic practice of "Dhikr," which involves the remembrance of God. Thus, mindfulness, at its core, is about focusing on what is sacred and meaningful.

In our modern age, distraction is everywhere. Social media, advertisements, and the constant flow of information keep our minds perpetually occupied. The term "advert" comes from the Latin "advertere," meaning to turn towards, aptly describing how advertisements aim to capture our attention. The internet, with terms like "web" and "net," hints at its ensnaring nature. A web captures, and a net catches, both designed to hold our attention, often leaving us tangled in a sea of distractions.

Distractions lead to mental distress, a concept noted by Nietzsche, who observed that modern life forces us to think with: 

> One's watch in one's hand.

The constant pressure of time and the influx of information can lead to a fragmented mind, where focus and attention are continually pulled in different directions.

The Arabic term for distraction, "ilha," means to pull someone into entertainment or pleasurable occupation of the mind. This aligns with how modern distractions work — they lure us away from meaningful engagement and create a state of mental unrest. When our attention is divided, we struggle to focus on what truly matters.

Making decisions in such a distracted state becomes challenging. The word "decide" comes from the Latin "decidere," which means to cut off. Deciding is about cutting off other possibilities and focusing on a single path. In a world full of distractions, making clear decisions is crucial to maintaining mental clarity and direction.

Reflecting on mortality can also help refocus our attention. Pre-modern societies frequently contemplated death, recognizing it as a reminder of life's preciousness. In contrast, modern people often avoid thinking about death, resulting in a superficial engagement with life. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised to:

> Do much remembrance of the destroyer of delights, death.

 This contemplation isn't morbid; rather, it serves to highlight the value of the time we have.

Mindfulness, in its truest sense, is about what our minds are full of. It's about focusing on what is meaningful, sacred, and important. In an age of immense distractions, reclaiming our attention through mindfulness can help us live more intentional and fulfilling lives. By being mindful of our thoughts and actions, we can navigate the distractions of modern life and focus on what truly matters.

> What you give your attention to determines your reality.

If you're constantly exposed to negative news, you'll perceive the world as more dangerous than it is. Conversely, focusing on positive and meaningful experiences can shape a more fulfilling reality. As Nietzsche noted, 

> The modern mindset often places time and productivity above eternal truths, leading to a life dominated by the clock rather than a sense of purpose.

In essence, mindfulness is about being present, attentive, and aware. It's about filling your mind with thoughts and actions that align with your values and beliefs. In a world filled with distractions, mindfulness helps us cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters, making our lives richer and more meaningful.


This blog post explores mindfulness, distractions, and the importance of focusing on what truly matters in life.

What is your mind full of?



## Don't follow your passion

No matter what you choose to do in life, you will always trade one set of sacrifice for another. You will always sacrifice one set of problems for another. "Many people quit their jobs to follow their passions, only to be left creating and owning a whole new job that they hate - doing everything but working on their passion in order to survive." The idea behind following your passion is an idea that sounds good at first but is in reality destructive. It makes the rest of us feel like if we are not doing the work we love or in a sense, if we are not pursuing our passion then we are wasting our time. Happiness is not predicated on just doing what you love in life, happiness is in finding the right balance in life between matters that are important in life such as your job and matters that make you enjoy life, such as your passion. If following your passion and doing what you truly love is the only way to happiness then evidently, most of humanity is wasting their time and are consequently living a miserable life.

Passion could clearly act as an initial motivator pushing you into a certain direction, but it does not necessarily mean that it has the juice needed to sustain you down this particular path. If we were to observe founders who have started reputable companies, they have certainly not started companies with the intention of changing the world but they tried to solve a particular problem they were stuck with. Google began with two Stanford Phd students working on their dissertation. YouTube started as a way to share funny video clips. These successes were not deliberate but rather stumbled upon almost by luck.

How many stories have you heard of where people have failed repeatedly and are still working a job waiting for a break-through. For every actor who has made it, many have failed to break through and are still waiting tables. This is termed survivorship bias where successes are made more visible than failures which in turn causes us to over-estimate our chances of success.

For the sake of keeping this post short: Following your passions fuels your ego and it could drive you to have a fixed mindset. The problem with fixed mindset is it obscures your vision and it stops you from pursuing other opportunities. Don't fall into the trap of "Following your passion.". Follow your passion only if it makes sense.

Find out why following your passion is in reality more destructive than it is rewarding.

"Follow your passion" sounds good but is actually destructive


## Discipline vs Regret

If you don't get your act together and you let yourself of the hook, then the thing that you don't want to become in the future will slowly move into you and take the place of what you could have been. An effective way to know whether you are letting yourself of the hook is to write down what that future person you want to become looks like. Then analyze and ask yourself: 
> "Are my daily habits leading me on the path way of becoming that future person?"

If not, then immediately write down simple effective steps you can take to change right then and there and be disciplined towards achieving that change. 
The price you pay for discipline is fraction of the price you pay for regret. The price for regret lasts forever whereas the price for discipline is temporary. 
By price I mean all the suffering, pain, loss, etc... that comes with it.


Ensure your habits align with your future self. Discipline now prevents lifelong regret. Take small steps today for lasting change.

Discipline vs Regret


## Do the easy stuff to have a rewarding life!

The things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. And usually the easy things that can be done make up most of life. I.e. simple phone call, simple "hello", simple smile. Doing your best to take care of those easy things makes life much more rewarding as apposed to waiting for the next big "accomplishment".



Discover how small, simple actions like a phone call or a smile can significantly impact your life. Embrace these easy tasks to create a more rewarding and fulfilling life, rather than waiting for the next big accomplishment.

Do the easy stuff to have a rewarding life!


## Life is too short to make every problem you come across one worth dying for.

Life is too short to make every problem you come across one worth dying for. Sometimes you just got to shrug your shoulders and let it go. Is it really worth it? One lesson I've learnt in life is to never act on your emotions. Don't trust your emotions, especially not when your making a decision. Whether you are super excited about something or you are furious about another thing, relax and decide when you are logically thinking about your next move. Your emotions can blind you from seeing red flags that would have been obvious to you if you were relaxed and calm. Teach your self to not rely on your emotions and you'll live a logical life.

Discover the art of staying calm and making logical decisions. Learn to navigate life's challenges without letting emotions dictate actions.

Life is too short to make every problem you come across one worth dying for


## You deserve some respect

We deserve some respect. You deserve some respect. You are important to other people, as much as to yourself. You have some vital role to play in the unfolding destiny of the world. Therefore, you are morally obliged to take care of yourself. You should take care of, help and be good to yourself the same way you would take care of, help and be good to someone you loved and valued. Every person on this world is deeply flawed. Conduct yourself in a manner that allows you to gain some self-respect. Don't pursue happiness in life. Pursue Meaning. Meaning will give you purpose. Purpose will make you content and being content is the root of happiness.

Understand why respecting yourself and pursuing meaning is crucial for a fulfilling life. Learn how purpose leads to true contentment.

The Importance of Self-Respect and Pursuing Meaning in Life


# Finding Happiness Along the Way
In life, we often find ourselves navigating through challenging moments, yearning for the destination we believe will bring us happiness. However, there's profound wisdom in cherishing the journey itself. Sometimes, the joy found along the way surpasses the satisfaction of reaching our intended goals.

Consider reframing your mindset during tough times, embracing the idea that the journey, when undertaken with happiness and positivity, becomes an enriching experience. By focusing on the present moment and finding joy in the process, we discover that the path itself holds the key to a fulfilling and meaningful life. So, in the face of adversity, strive not just for success at the destination but for happiness throughout the journey.



Discover how to find joy and fulfillment in life's journey. Learn to embrace experiences and growth, and uncover the secret to happiness beyond reaching your goals. Click to read more!

Mindset