The power of positivity
We are all fed up with the headlines. With constant bad news and a worsening geopolitical situation, random and absurd threats of aggression that make Lex Luther look tame, and barefaced lies every time we hear politicians make statements, it’s hard not to feel down.
Add to that the rising cost of living…the doom and gloom is palpable.
The question is: how can we make ourselves feel better?
Perhaps the answer lies in taking up a new challenge, setting a fresh goal and deciding to finally start the project that seemed it would always remain a chimera. Why wait until 31st December to make a mental note of the same New Year’s Resolutions that have been made and broken year upon year. Why not try something new now? Fast forward what you have postponed, procrastinated, and told yourself is desirable but impossible.
Mid way through the year, mid way to Ramadan, what is there to stop us from starting it now?
Recently, I smiled when I saw the pictures of my friend, who despite being a carer, took up archery and managed to hit the target. She said the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us to:
“Practice archery and practice riding, and that you should practice archery is more beloved to me than that you should ride.” (Tirmidhi)
Another friend began memorising Surah al-Baqarah, one ayah a day, and has now memorised ten pages. Another one who has completed a permaculture course, (I’m still waiting for her to explain what that is), Trying something new could be doing something to remove a nagging problem – it could be getting psychotherapy, or visiting a physiotherapist. One friend has managed to erase the chronic pain she has endured for years after booking a series of appointments. There are many activities out there that we have not yet tried, let alone the ones we wish we could do…
Goals give us the power of positivity.
When we build on our goals with consistency, even the impossible can become attainable. As long as the effort is small enough to incorporate into our busy lives, it is only a matter of time before we begin to see it bear fruit.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
حَدَّثَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجُ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْعَمَلِ أَدْوَمُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ»
“Take on only as much as you can do of good deeds, for the best of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is little.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Though the result is not evident right at the beginning, no matter how small the effort, as long as we continue repeating it, the outcome becomes less elusive.
The encouragement to act rather than delay is embedded in our deen. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«إِنْ قَامَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَفِي يَدِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَسِيلَةٌ، فَإِنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ لَا تَقُومَ حَتَّى يَغْرِسَهَا فَلْيَغْرِسْهَا»
“If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad)
What could be more positive than that? Even when the world is literally coming to an end, the Prophet ﷺ told us not to abandon the goal, but to act – plant the sapling in our hand. It might seem that there is no longer any point, but the point is to keep doing what is good for as long as we are able.
The more progress we make, the more motivated we feel.
It is not long before those micro-acts start snowballing. The belief in ourselves may not have been there at the start, but does begin to grow after we have taken action. Progress makes us feel more capable, and feeling more capable encourages us to continue. This explains why the first few steps are often the most important.
It is time to bust the doom and gloom and embrace what is within our sphere of control.
The Prophet ﷺ gave us a powerful formula for dealing with life:
احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ، وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ، وَلَا تَعْجِزْ
“Strive for what benefits you, seek Allah’s help and do not feel helpless.” (Muslim)
We are not expected to depend entirely on our own strength, but neither should we surrender to helplessness. The more progress we make, the more we feel empowered.
Those trying to lose weight do not have to begin with a punishing diet that they will abandon after a week. They can start by walking ten minutes each day, reducing one unhealthy snack or preparing a better lunch. Those who want to read more can begin with two pages a night. Those who want to memorise the Quran can begin with one ayah. Those who want to improve their relationship with Allah can begin with two rak‘ahs, a short daily dhikr or a few minutes of dua.
Research into habit formation has also challenged the popular claim that a habit takes only twenty-one days to form. The time varies considerably from person to person. For many people, it takes around two months or longer before a new behaviour begins to feel automatic.
This means we should not become disheartened when a new routine still feels difficult after a few weeks. Nor should we think we have failed because we missed a day. One friend who took up horse riding, but had a fall, was rather bruised, but got back in the saddle. Consistency does not mean perfection. It means returning to the action instead of abandoning it.
Positivity is infectious
Positive action can be even more powerful when it is shared. When one person begins memorising the Quran, others may feel encouraged to begin. When a friend takes up a sport, it makes us consider what we could try. When someone finally seeks treatment for a long-standing problem, it may give another person the courage to seek help. Our actions quietly influence those around us.
Don’t wait for motivation. Just do it!
We should not wait until we feel perfectly motivated. Motivation often comes after we start, not before. Choose something that you have been putting off. Make it small enough that you cannot reasonably say you have no time. Then simply repeat it tomorrow.
Our efforts may seem very small against the scale of the world’s problems, but we can only change what is within our sphere of influence.
Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (Surah al-Ra‘d, 13:11)
This means that change can only happen when we begin with ourselves. We have to look at what lies within our reach and take the first step.