Dreaming of a White Christmas

When the odds of a White Christmas finding its way to you are just not on, only one option remains: pack your bags and go out in search of it.

Book Review: Building Agreement: Using Emotions as You Negotiate

UK Title: Building Agreement: Using Emotions as You Negotiate
US Title: Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate
Authors: Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro
Publisher: Random House Business Books (March 2006)

Good practical guide to make you think about the way you communicate with others, whether they are a family member, work colleague or complete stranger, and not just in a strict negotiation setting as the title may wrongly suggest. It must be said, the book is not about manipulating emotions, our own or those of others, but rather it provides an advice on how we can positively work with our emotions to reach agreement. The authors distinguish and focus on five 'core concerns' that motivate people: appreciation, affiliation, autonomy, status and a fulfilling role. I am pretty sure each will strike a chord with you to some extent and cause you to re-assess the way you interact with others. It certainly did so for me.

A great read with lots of real-life examples that you will easily be able to relate to with your own experiences. Indeed, if you are one of those people who are always looking to do a bit of introspection and improve your character, then I cannot recommend this book for you enough.

Less is More

Dude, speak little, minimal.
Look, assess, are they still with you?
Yes? Ask if they want a little more.
No? Ask why?
Perhaps you have confused them?
Go back a few steps and try again.
Perhaps you have overloaded them?
Stop there.
Perhaps they are not interested?
Then why did you even start?

Love Hurts

Every Wednesday, after a series of hard spars, I come home to nurse a bruised body in preparation for much the same the coming week.

And as I limp between each session, I think, "Am I like the man who drinks for a moment's pleasure to be drunk and foolhardy an entire night?"

But then I look to the grossly out of shape worshipper and think, "How can a man, losing battle with his visible body, expect to approach mastery of his hidden Nafs?"

Rise

O sleepy slothful soul,

the sun has risen and you are still down?

Rise and ask your sluggish self,

who is more in need of running its course,

the one who will give account,

or the one who has no will?

Introspection

Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said,

"Weigh your actions before they are weighed,

and reckon with yourself before you are reckoned with,

for today's reckoning will be easier than tomorrow's.

And prepare yourself for the great appearance

(of the Judgement Day)."

What a sound advice,

and so I look at the person I was yesterday and think,

"Damn I would hate to be him",

and then I look with greater certainty to the day before,

"Damn how much more I would hate to be him",

but then, what is this revulsion compared to

how much I would hate to not hate the person I was yesterday

and to be content with the person I am today.

Gaining in Ramadhan

Who would have thought it, not eating between sunrise (5am) and sunset (7pm) for a month and gaining 1kg in the process?! Perhaps the increase is a gain of the inner self (you know, faith, spirituality and stuff)? Now that would be cause for celebration come this Eid.