FROM MAULANA’S DESK

The question to ask is: How can one remain positive amidst the ordeals of life and cope with the resulting stress? The answer is simple. We need to learn to decondition our mind and to view life as an experiential opportunity where both success and failure are transient means to enhance our development potential. This process of learning does not mean that man will be able to avail all the opportunities to the fullest. He may avail some and forego others. A wise man is one who can learn to live with what is possible, instead of living with the stress of seeking what is not possible. A person who wants to put an end to his life does so assuming that his life is worthless. His myopic vision does not allow him to see the opportunities that are available around him. In fact, there have been cases where saved suicide victims ended up becoming extraordinary achievers. There was one such example where a person consumed poison and tried to kill himself because he was under great financial burden. Fortunately, the neighbours got to know and medical aid arrived just in time and saved him. The shock of almost losing his life transformed him into a completely different person. He strove with all his might and developed a refreshing enthusiasm for life. He later went on to establish a successful business enterprise. The lesson is that if initially man meets with failure, he must not lose hope. Instead, he should look at this as an experience. Later, as opportunities open up, these very experiences will help him realize his potential. The only precondition being that he should remain positive. One who lives with the remorse of lost opportunities will miss the opportunity to avail new prospects. It is a vicious cycle. In the nine decades of my life I have met with various moments of despair and crisis. The one thing that has held me afloat through all of this is the belief that life is precious; it is not to be squandered away. Let this understanding mark a fresh start for us to look at life as the greatest opportunity offered to us. Let us avail it to the fullest and make it truly count! o Maulana Wahiduddin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org Follow Maulana at http://www.speakingtree.in (The Times of India) A wise man is one who can learn to live with what is possible, instead of living with the stress of seeking what is not possible.