Definition of Life

"The way we define things determines our attitude towards them" Aamir Amin

It is very important to have a right definition of important aspects of our life. It is important because it determines our attitude towards them. It determines how we react to them. So, i decided to start with the definition of 'Life' itself. As they say "life is 10% how we make it and 90% how we take it". Hence, the definition of life is a very fundamental question which may determine the way we take our lives.

I have seen people defining life in various ways. Some define it as "Life is all about Fun". Such people will try to find fun in almost every aspect and phase of their life. For such people, anyone who will hinder the 'fun' part of their life will be an enemy. Some times the enemy can be their parents, some times friends, sometimes a teacher and even worst it can be God. The problem with such a definition is that sooner or later the reality-hit will shackle it, as life does show its colors one day.

Another wrong way of looking at life is believing in phrases like "do good have good" or "everything happens for good". Although such phrases are good to motivate someone to do good with others or in a situation when somebody is emotionally down because of a misfortune. But in my opinion, such an attitude, again, does not represent the real face of Life. It is not always true that if you will do good, you will have good. Similarly it is not always true that everything happens for good. An individual, with a positive attitude, should try to find positive out of every situation, however, we all experience that many times an event carries nothing but trouble for us.

As a result of such definitions and perspectives, people either start blaming life and other people for their miseries, or they become too arrogant. Other definitions and perspectives on life also do not comprehend it fully and fail to give a right attitude to the person.

This lead me to a definition which echoed around me several times, but i did not put my ears on it. According to this definition "Life is nothing but a test". Test of our decisions, choices and personality, with the intervals of happiness and grief, which are themselves parts of this test. A sage once rightly said that "this life is nothing but a test of gratitude and patience". Keeping this in mind, an individual will stand on the ground of reality. He will accept pain and sorrow as part of life, will know that his actions may not be responded in a similar fashion, will expect that sometimes life does give you trouble to test your patience. In case of a 'Gratitude-Test' the individual with such an attitude will not be arrogant and in case of a 'Patience-Test', he will be patient and positive.

Hence in my opinion, the definition that "Life is a Test", not only defines it realistically but also gives a right attitude to the individual.

Looking forward to your definition of life :)

Wherever you live, be a source of joy and blessing for all the creatures !

God bless you all

All Praise to Almighty Allah - My First Blog Ever !

I start this Blog today on 31st July, 2011 with the name of almighty Allah. I am neither a sage nor a saint, i claim not to have a brain and heart of both of them. I am a common man. I will put my thoughts in this blog. They are nothing more than observations of a common man.

I pray to God to keep and guide me to the straight path. To give me wisdom and a strong character. To guide me to become His better servant. To make me a good human being towards fellow beings. To forgive me and make me a resident of the Kingdom of Heaven.

I want and try to follow following Quote of Imam Shafa'i:

“I am convinced about the veracity of my opinions, but I do consider it likely that they may turn out to be incorrect. Likewise, I am convinced about the incorrectness of the views different from mine, but I do concede the possibility that they may turn out to be correct.”

I will always be looking for your comments and criticisms, You are among my teachers.

God bless you