Unfolding spiritual renewal and embracing abundance
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”
Come Eid, those words resonated deep within me. That chilly, foggy gray wasn't just hovering over the city, but seemed to be seeping into my mind as well.
Navigating through a job promotion, collaborating with a nonprofit, and juggling multiple relocations- life was all gas, no breaks. Tack on recovery from an injury, bi-weekly visits to physical therapy and HQ, and it felt like my life was a race against time. Karl the Fog wasn’t just clouding the cityscape, but living in my mind rent-free as well.
When this past Ramadan didn't stir my soul as it usually does, I knew a change was necessary. My Iman or faith, needed a boost, and my spirit yearned for a breath of fresh air. That’s when I decided to swap the cool Bay breeze for the warmth of Bali.
‘Islam,’ it literally means “submission to the will of God”
Bali, fam, it’s worlds apart from the Philz coffee and sourdough bread I know and love, SubhanAllah. It's an oasis where nurturing your spirituality is not merely suggested; it's a way of life. Here, the fog has lifted, revealing the sun's radiant glow. The persistent pings of Slack and Google Calendar have been replaced by nature's harmonious melodies - roosters crowing and waves rhythmically lapping against the shore. My morning prayers, once again, align beautifully with the breaking dawn, Alhamdulillah.
Somewhere between a waterfall and a water palace though, I experienced an awakening to a new level of gratitude, a deeper appreciation for my life's blessings. Bali offers me the space to discard the lack mindset and fully embrace Barakah, the divine blessing.
Life isn’t about comparisons or competition, it’s about acknowledging the richness in our lives, the often-overlooked, yet very much divinely-provided blessings. It's not about dwelling on my post-surgery body changes or swapping my downtown apartment for a nomadic existence. It's about dismantling the exterior walls of my identity and diving within to discover true fulfillment.
Tapping into Barakah: Embracing an abundance mindset
Too often, the world can corner us into believing we're continually lacking, forever striving. But the reality is, when we pause, step back, and reflect, we can uncover the blessings that were always there, just waiting to be seen.
That's been my journey from the Bay to Bali - a journey of spiritual renewal, of overcoming the perception of lack, and unearthing the abundant blessings in my life, all thanks to God.
I hope to share this sense of abundance and peace with y'all. Dare to carve out a moment to disconnect, to retreat from the relentless hustle that is your personal day-to-day. Pause to embrace an abundance mindset one moment at a time and discover your personal salaam, your inner peace.
Bismillah y’all! Here's to fresh starts, breaking free from life's fog, and basking in our individual warmth and light. The morning fog in Bali is beginning to lift and the pool on the other side of my laptop is calling my name.
Until next time, fam.
Peace and blessings,
Your sister in Islam
