Art has the power to change us in significant ways. Here's how:<ul><li>Catalyses self-expression</li><li>Boosts self-awareness and reflection</li><li>Helps us see the world from a different perspective</li><li>Allows us to process emotions in a healthy way</li><li>Inspires creativity and imagination</li></ul>

The Transformative Power of Being Artistic

Playing an instrument is not only fun, it also boosts your brainpower. It activates different parts of your brain and helps with motor skills, creativity, and more. Start young for better results!Encourage your child to learn an instrument like the piano or guitar. It can increase their IQ and improve their language skills.

The Power of Learning a Musical Instrument

Furthermore, it encourages the brain to operate at its full capacity, thereby building a strong neural foundation for mastery in practically everything. Here's why:

Why Encouraging Full Brain Capacity is Important

Musicians don't just practice, they fantasise. They see the stage, hear the notes, and feel the outcome long before it happens. Hence, musicians build skill while just visualising playing. That ability to rehearse and mentally simulate outcomes is a superpower: You learn not just react to reality, but to create it.

1. You Make Visualising Success Second Nature

When you practice an instrument, time stops being abstract. You feel the cost of distraction and the miracle of being fully focused in real-time.Over time, you become fiercely time-conscious – not in a stressed way, but in a sacred one. You don't want to rush; you want to make it count. This discipline shapes everything, from how you run meetings to how you build relationships.

2. You Develop a Sacred Relationship with Time

Every musician has to face the parts of the music they hate and struggle with. There's no shortcut. You can't outsource it, nor avoid it. You have to lean in until the failure becomes fluency.While most people avoid uncomfortable moments in life, playing an instrument teaches you to seek those moments. You no longer panic at pain; you see it as a sign of growth.

3. You Stop Running from Discomfort

Music is more than just sound. It has the power to control your emotions through the use of rhythm, breath, and preparation. This skill is not limited to just music, as you can apply it in various situations such as before a difficult conversation or during a conflict. Instead of merely expressing your emotions, you have the ability to direct them.

4. You learn that emotions are designable

As a musician, you don't just play scales mindlessly. You have a goal to improve precision, control, and phrasing. Boredom is feedback, a signal from your brain to ask: "What's my goal here?" This insight changes everything and makes tasks more engaging and less distracting.So when you think something is boring, focus on setting a goal and see the difference it makes.

5. Realising Boredom As Feedback

Sometimes you can't play it right. Your hand won't stretch, and your fingers stumble. So, you try it a different way. You improvise, rearrange, and compose. Suddenly, the failure becomes fuel. This teaches you a profound lesson: When you can't follow the map, draw a new one. Innovation isn't a gift, it's a response to friction.

6. You Turn Stuck into Invention

Once you've heard the difference between "okay" and "exceptional," you can't unhear it. Once you've experienced how moments of excellence feel, mediocrity becomes unbearable. Music teaches you to expect more from yourself and others, not out of perfectionism, but out of respect for what's possible.

7. Your Standards Rise and Stay High

Playing an instrument teaches you to perform for more than just yourself. It cultivates a mindset of evoking emotions and communicating without words. This shift fundamentally impacts your approach to all tasks.Your work becomes a reflection of your beliefs, creativity, and expectations. It compels you to ask yourself: Is this up to par to resonate with someone else? Will this inspire, provoke thought, or foster growth?

8. You learn to create for others, not just yourself

Your brain can learn a new instrument at any age! It's never too late to start.Why is it important?<ul><li>Builds new connections in your brain</li><li>Improves cognition</li><li>Boosts creativity and memory</li><li>Enhances emotional expression and control</li></ul>

Expanding Your Brain with Music

What instrument inspires you? Piano, guitar, or trumpet? Follow your passion, not just logic.Make progress in just 20 minutes a day. Studies show that consistent practice can improve attention and motor skills.<ul><li>Celebrate every improvement, not just performance. Track what you learn daily and see how far you've come!</li></ul>Mastery is a journey, not a destination 💘

Find Your Passion in Music and Celebrate Progress

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Leadership & Management

The No. 1 skill to teach your kid 'as early as possible,' says psychology expert—they'll be successful at 'pretty much everything'

… I feel youBaby don'tBut you can't, you can't give up

Baby don't cry, I hope you got your head upEven when the road is hard, never give up

Now here's a story 'bout a woman with dreamsSo picture perfect at 13, an ebony queenBeneath the surface, it was more than just a crooked smile

Nobody knew about her secret, so it took a whileI could see a tear fall slow down her black cheekSheddin' quiet tears in the back seatSo, when she asked me, "What would you do if it was you?"

… Couldn't answer such a horrible pain to live through

you got to find a way to survive'Cause they win when your soul dies

… Forget him, girl (Forget him girl), he ain't gon' never changeI ain't no hater but that nigga lost in the gameAfter the bright lights and big thangsHe probably could love you, but he in love with the struggle

Everyday, his mind on gettin' moreAnd never your feelings, he's chasin' millions for sho'

You got too much, more livin' to do, I'm spittin' this to you'Cause you deserve more than what he givin' to you (That's right)

… Beautiful, black, precious and complicatedA new millennium dime piece, so, fine sheGot 'em all stuck standin' still when she come throughBaby take a little more time, love'll find youAnd sho' as the sky's blue, somebody other than meGon' give you everything you need, feel me?

… I'm tryin' to do all that I canFrom jump, now you losin', you was choosin' the wrong manDealt the wrong hand, you was young and beautifulLost and turned out, what you let that nigga do to you? (Damn)

I knew her since elementary, she blew a kiss to meWrote me a note in crayon, wantin' to get with meWe was kids, now she got three kidsThey see their father e'ryday, and they don't know who he is

I feel pity for you, you ain't even his wife

2 Pac - Baby Please Don't Cry,  A Remix By MKR

#2pacBabyPleaseDon'tCry

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2Pac - Baby Please Don't Cry (M.K.R Remix) // Song Nation

Homeostasis is a process in which a family utilises different habits and roles to keep stress, conflict, and anxiety within "tolerable limits"

<ul><li>Family systems work to maintain the status quo using a process call homeostasis.</li><li>Homeostasis causes families to maintain dysfunctional roles and habits.</li><li>Awareness can help family members acknowledge their own role and address problematic patterns.</li></ul>

Families may continue destructive behaviors despite negative consequences due to a process called homeostasis. It leads to conflict, unhappiness, and causes problems to persist.

The Cycle of Dysfunctional Family Dynamics

Each family has their own tolerable limit and will fight to maintain the emotional energy of the family within those bounds.
In short, the family will push each other to behave in the same way as they always have in order to create a predictable environment for themselves, known as a state of "equilibrium."

Emotional Energy Management

Roles that members of the family will often be "forced" to maintain are:<ul><li>The scapegoat or rebel</li><li>The mediator</li><li>The "good one"</li></ul>

The Roles and Behaviours of Dysfunctional Families

During times of family tension, dysfunctional families might try to find a scapegoat. This person will be blamed for the tension in order to "unite together" against a common, internal enemy.The scapegoat will be unfaurly targeted and seen as the problem, which then dissolves any family responsibility for solving the greater issue.

The Scapegoat or Rebel

A mediator helps settle family disputes by understanding everyone's perspective and finding common ground, which can be overwhelming for one individual.This person's role is to encourage everyone to reach a compromise and manage stress levels, but mediation alone can be a taxing and stressful task.

The Mediator

Like finding a scapegoat, the family might also point to the "good one" in the family. This is the person that the scapegoat will be compared against.

The "Good One"

<ol><li>Defensiveness</li><li>Withdrawing</li><li>Triangulation</li><li>Lying</li><li>Resignation</li><li>Relentless arguing</li></ol>

Common family habits include:

To return to homeostasis, or the normal way of being for the family, there is often defensiveness. Defensive behavior limits the ability to see one's role in a situation or begin to consider how to change the pattern.

Defensiveness

In order to remove oneself from a conversation or to work toward problem-solving, family members might withdraw from the conflict in order to get their way. Because there is so much tension, the other family members will "give up" and return to the status quo.

Withdrawing

In order to push the family back to homeostasis, members of the family will form alliances with each other against whoever is threatening the status quo.

Triangulation

Family members might lie to each other or use family myths to get people to "behave" within the window of tolerance

Lying

Often, the process of trying to create change causes so much stress that people will resign themselves to the current dynamic.

Resignation

Relentless arguing that never goes anywhere reduces the likelihood of change and increases the possibility that the family can return to their predicted dynamic.

Relentless arguing

Families can change their baseline way of functioning when members of the family choose to target and change any one of these roles or behaviors. However, the first person to do so will find that they become the scapegoat as they are seen as responsible for causing a "shake-up," even if the shake-up is for a good reason.

Changing Family Dynamics

- Not all families can benefit from family therapy.- Individual therapy helps understand the impact of family dysfunction.- Strategies to protect oneself from family dysfunction can be learned.

Mental Health and Family Dysfunction

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Why Families Don't Change, Even When They Should

'Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent'.

Say: 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves (by sinning), do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He Who is the Forgiving, the Merciful

This book attempts to bridge the gap between the traditional work of our rich and powerful heritage of classical Islamic scholars and the reality of the intensive and busy contemporary times that we currently live in.Based on classical Islamic resources, such as the Quran and Hadith, primarily the Kuttub al-Sittah, along with books of tazkiyah by classical authors such as Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, Ibn Al-Jawzi, Abu Talib Al-Makki and others.

Classical Islamic Scholars and Our Contemporary Times

Becoming deaf and blind to the guidance of Allah SWT could mean that we hear a verse from the Quran, but it does not affect us in any way. We could hear a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), yet remain unbothered and unchanged due to the state of our hearts.

Becoming Deaf and Blind to the Guidance of Allah

Our actions and relationships with others are shaped by our hearts and our relationship with Allah SWT. Let's analyse ourselves, using the law of cause and effect in this world.Take a moment to reflect on:<ul><li>Your heart and its state</li><li>Your way of living</li><li>Your relationships with others and with Allah SWT</li></ul>

Self-Reflection on Life and Relationships

But they denied him, so We saved him and those who were with him on the ship. And We drowned those who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a blind people.

A sin can also be understood as:<ul><li>Any disobedience to Allah SWT that Allah SWT has forbidden, whether it is major or minor.</li><li>Any action that Allah SWT has deemed punishable in the Quran.</li><li>Any action or offence that goes against moral or religious law.</li><li>Any wrongful action or fault commited against a human being. If we commit a sin against another person, it is by default disobedience towards Allah SWT.</li></ul>

Understanding Sin

"The Prophet PBUH said: 'Avoid the 7 great destructive sins.' The people asked: 'O Allah's Messenger, what are they?' He PBUH replied: 'To join others in worship alongside Allah SWT, to practice sorcery, to kill a life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, to deal with riba (interest), to eat up and orphans wealth, fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse chaste women who are good believers."

The simple act of taking care of our parents has a profound impact on our future. When our parents pass away, we lose the chance to do good and be by their side.<ul><li>Spend quality time with your parents.</li><li>Take care of their needs, whether it's physically or emotionally.</li><li>It's our duty to treat our parents with kindness and love.</li></ul>

Importance of Caring for Parents

Identifying Major Sins is a chapter that outlines a compilation of 70 major sins, in order to give a clear indication of the actions that many of us - knowingly or unknowingly - may take part in or have done in the past.Once we know what these major sins are, it is vital that we make the intention not to be involved in them again and take all the necessary precautions to follow through with this.

Identifying Major Sins

Shaitan and his army will always work to damage our relationship with Allah SWT. They come and analyse our weaknesses and use those weaknesses to take us further away from Allah SWT. Every time we sin, we are obeying Shaytan and disobeying Allah SWT.

Becoming closer to Allah SWT allows us to practice His attributes, including mercy Tears are a powerful sign of this attribute and can come from hearing or reciting the Quran or talking to Allah SWT privately.A hardened heart that cannot cry is a sign of wrongdoing and a lack of mercy. We must strive to maintain a soft heart in order to reap the benefits of Allah SWT's mercy.

The Power of Tears

The Quran mentions the whispering of Shaytan, which means he puts thoughts of wrong actions in our minds. But when we seek refuge in Allah SWT, we grow stronger against his attacks.But Shaytan will continue to be a part of our lives until death. Seeking refuge in Allah helps us overcome his whispers.

The Whisperer of Doubt

And Shaytan will say to his followers after the judgement has passed. "Inded, Allah SWT has made you a true promise. I made you a promise, but I betrayed you. I did not have any authority over you. I only called you and you responded to me. So do not blame me, blame yourselves. I cannot save you, nor can you save me. Indeed, I denounce your previous association of me with Allah SWT. Surely, the wrongdoers will suffer a painful punishment."

If we look around our surroundings, we will see that evil is often dominant in our societies. Schools, workplaces, and public places are all affected by it, and these actions have become the norm.If we know that evil is being committed, but do not do anything to prevent it, everyone will suffer the punishments from Allah SWT. We must stand strong, even if we are the only ones taking a stance against it in our local communities.

Stand Up Against Evil

The Prophet SAW used to say: O Allah SWT! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by other men.

When our heart is sick, it is usually occupied by one of the 8 points mentioned in the Hadith above.When our hearts are weak, we become unable to do something that we want to do, even though we know it is good and right. Or we know that something is wrong, yet we still do it. Our hearts will suffer from these issues when they are spiritually dead or sick due to our sins, whether intentional or unintentional, and the distance it creates between us and Allah SWT.

Heart Sickness

May Allah SWT allow us to change our ways, help us have a sound heart, and increase our love and desire to obey and please Him. Amin.

Many of us may be unaware that some things that we do, are actually sins - acts of disobedience to Allah (swt). Even when we are aware of them, we don't think that our sins can have negative consequences for us, in our relationship with Allah (swt), other people, and even the world. Learning about sins is an eye-opening, transforming experience that changes your heart and mind. Furthermore, it makes you look at the world from a new perspective which can change your life forever. Discover, dissect and digest how to prevent and even overcome that which poisons the heart of the believer.

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Religion & Spirituality

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Haifaa Younis

Sins

Take care of yourself, one rest at a time 💆‍♀️

Many people are struggling with burnout and exhaustion. But did you know that just getting enough sleep is not enough to combat these issues? Our bodies and minds require 7 different types of rest to truly feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Importance of Rest for Overall Wellbeing

Emotional rest also means surrounding ourselves with others who help provide emotional peace.

Sleep is essential, but not always enough. A vacation may seem relaxing, but it's not always restful. In order to maintain a well-balanced life, it's important to also take the time for various types of rest.

The Importance of Rest for a Well-Balanced Life

This includes:<ol><li>Physical rest to restore our energy and repair our bodies after physical exertion.</li><li>Emotional rest to process and release our emotions.</li><li>Sensory rest to reduce overstimulation and give our senses a break.</li><li>Social rest to recharge from social interactions and connect with ourselves.</li><li>Creative rest to explore new interests and hobbies that inspire us.</li><li>Spiritual rest to reflect and connect with our inner selves and beliefs.</li><li>Mental rest to declutter and refocus our minds.</li></ol>

“rest is the most underused, chemical-free, safe and effective, alternative therapy available to us.”

Exhaustion is a serious concern for too many of us, and unfortunately, sleep alone doesn’t fix the issue. In fact, only focusing on sleep may increase burnout because other key areas of rest have not been attended to.

Not surprisingly, the first kind of rest humans need is physical rest. This involves taking a break from physical activities that tire us out. Some examples of this include sleep, relaxation, and napping. Interestingly, "active" physical rest can also fall into this category (even though it may seem like a contradiction). Active physical rest includes light, restorative activities such as yoga, stretching, or massages.

1. Physical Rest

Are you always catching yourself thinking even when you're supposed to be resting? You might have a mental rest deficit. Relying on coffee temporarily helps, but in the future, it can add more to your overthinking.

2. Mental Rest

To achieve mental rest, take regular breaks during the workday and journal before going to bed.One helpful technique is thought diffusion, which involves observing thoughts without attaching emotions, similar to watching leaves float down a stream or clouds move across the sky.

Tips for Mental Rest

We are constantly exposed to different kinds of sensory stimulation such as screens, conversations, lights, and more. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. One way to recharge is by intentionally taking moments of sensory deprivation.This could include avoiding screens for at least 45 minutes before bedtime.

3. Sensory Rest

Emotional Rest allows us the space to be authentic. If someone asks you how you're doing after recognizing you are visibly upset, and you respond with "fine," such a suppression of emotions places added internal pressure on you.Instead, we can allow ourselves to be authentic by stating, "I'm actually really frustrated with __." This release and authenticity allows our emotional circuit to feel more rested.

4. Emotional Rest

Understanding whether you are an introvert, or an extrovert is important. Knowing if you recharge by being around people or alone, can help you understand when you need alone-time to recharge.
This conversation is crucial to have with your partner, as everyone has different social limits. One person may be ready to leave a party after just three hours, while their partner may still be energized and not ready to leave.

5. Social Rest

For those working on creative projects, creative rest is crucial. Do you often face writer's block, creative fatigue, or burnout from brainstorming? Here's how to recharge:Inspiration meets relaxation:<ul><li>Surround yourself with nature and let yourself be.</li><li>Take a break from a problem or project to recharge your brain without pressure.</li></ul>

6. Creative Rest

Our body and mind long for spiritual rest, which involves connecting with something greater than ourselves. This can include prayer, meditation, or a sense of purpose. We can also seek community through groups or organizations that prioritize acceptance and intention.Examples include:<ul><li>Church groups</li><li>Volunteer programs</li><li>Community outreach</li><li>Nature retreats</li></ul>

7. Spiritual Rest

Cellular/systemic rest is the rest of the whole body system from an internal level. What we put into our bodies matters. Processed foods, junk foods, or high-fat/high-sugar foods are extremely difficult for our bodies to digest. Much of the energy we produce goes into the digestion of these foods, which leaves us feeling fatigued, tired, or lethargic.

Bonus: Cellular/Systemic Rest

Our body needs rest on a cellular and systemic level, which we can achieve by consuming healthy, easy to digest foods. These foods also provide protection against oxidative stress. Additionally, it is crucial to limit our caffeine intake to give our adrenals a break.

Giving Our Body Rest: The Importance of Nutrient-rich Foods

Sleep is not enough. A vacation is not enough.

Take care of yourself by making rest a priority. According to Dalton-Smith, starting with short periods of rest each day is key. Here's how to refuel and recharge your body and mind:<ol><li>Find small pockets of rest throughout the day</li><li>Focus on different dimensions of rest (physical, emotional, etc.)</li><li>Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation</li></ol>

Fighting Exhaustion and Burnout: How to Prioritize Rest

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Mindfulness

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Habits

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Science & Nature

Psychology Today | The 7 Kinds of Rest You Actually Need 

Before one can actually enter Paradise in the eternal realm found in the other world, they must first exert their best and most sincere efforts to attain it in this temporal domain.

The Pursuit Of Paradise

And whoever is saved from the selfishness of their own souls, it is they who are successful.

Allah will say to the righteous 'O tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased and well pleasing. So, join My servants, and enter My Paradise.

To enter Paradise, every Muslim must obtain its key. In metaphysical terms, this key is the shahadah (testimony of faith) of "La Ilaha Illa Allah" (there is no God but Allah).However, simply saying the shahadah is not enough. The scholars emphasize that the key will only work if it has teeth, which refer to pious deeds.Therefore, the shape and effectiveness of our key is determined by our deeds and our position in the sight of Allah.

The Key to Paradise

Whoever reads Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad (i.e. Surah al-Ikhlas) 20 times, Allah will build for them a castle in Paradise.

The word used to refer to fragrances is rayhan, which is often used to refer to herbal plants that exude sweet smells. Due to the pleasant odors that they exude, these plants are known for their incredible ability to relax the mind and inculcate a state of absolute tranquility.As such, believers will find themselves fully satisfied and free of all the worries and anxieties that are found in this world.

Calming Fragrances

There is not any one of you who lives in this life except that they have two positons: a home in the Hellfire and a home in Paradise.

Indeed even a single tasbih (litany of Allah's glorification) from any believer is better than everything that has been given to the son of Dawud. And let it be known that everything that has been given to the son of Dawud will perish, but this tasbih of yours will remain forever.

The presence of flowing or running water - like rivers and other bodies of water - has positive psychological effects, known as ‘The blue mind effect’.The Quran utilises this concept by frequently mentioning the gardens of paradise with rivers flowing beneath them.

The Healing Power of Water

"The hidden rivers- namely the ones that are exclusive to Paradise - are Sayhan and Jayhan, whilst the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates."

A person can't satisfactorily celebrate a major event or achievement without the presence of their family. This ultimately means that being accompanied by one's family in Jannah is imperative. Without having one's family members in near proximity, a person will not be able to feel complete joy. This point is beautifully alluded to in the following verse of the Quran:

Family's Presence in Jannah

... the Gardens of Eternity, which they will enter along with the righteous amongst their parents, spouses, and descendants.

Despite being mocked for their beliefs:<ul><li>They may forgo pleasures of this world for the sake of the afterlife</li><li>Despite facing criticism, their faith in Allah and pursuit of salvation remains strong</li><li>They will be handsomely rewarded in the other world for their sacrifices and unwavering faith</li></ul>

The Misunderstood Believer

The people of Paradise will have bracelets of gold and silver, garlands of pearls and Ruby, and the crowns of kings on their heads. Just one pearl from the dress of a woman of Paradise would light up everything between the East and the West.

In the marketplace of Jannah, there will be an unlimited inventory, where it will possess every imaginable product. Likewise, no person will have a limited budget as they will be permitted to pick whatever they wish.Thus, in the perpetual abode of bliss, none of the believers will be subjected to the constraints that conventionally exist in the finite world.

Jannah Marketplace

Because they observed silence in these affairs and refrained from idle speech, Allah will reward them with eternal gardens in the Afterlife that will be free of any disturbances and commotions.

Muslims should follow the example of the Prophets Companions by avoiding gatherings where people are slandered. This will help to protect the natural purity of their souls, which naturally dislikes such negative behaviors.

The Importance of Refraining from Spiteful Speech

Whatever our situation may be in this life, a life of struggle or comfort, our inevitable fate is the same as the life of this world is temporary.  O believer, this world is not meant to be your paradise, but knowing that Paradise awaits, makes this journey so much more bearable and rewarding. Remember that every difficulty is a right, after all your struggles, all your tests, and trials know that your eternal sanctuary awaits.  Jannah, that is built by your deeds and decorated by your du'as. Chalets of crystals sparkling on the horizon for a soul that gave up sin, tree trunks of green emerald and branches of gold for a simple word of remembrance. Each of your shuddering breaths, every second of discomfort you faced, and every one of your sacrifices, all have been accounted for, repaid with sights and rewards unimaginable and the company of the Most High.  Build your eternal home, decorate your eternal home. Long for your eternal home...

The No. 1 skill to teach your kid 'as early as possible,' says psychology expert—they'll be successful at 'pretty much everything'

2Pac - Baby Please Don't Cry (M.K.R Remix) // Song Nation

Why Families Don't Change, Even When They Should

Sins

Psychology Today | The 7 Kinds of Rest You Actually Need

Adeela Bibi