Have the courage to be yourself and the humility to listen and grow!

🌈 1262 – Thursday, 28 November 2024 23:49

London

Endlessly browsing, scrolling aimlessly—it feels like I should be doing something more meaningful. My mind is heavy with thoughts, yet there’s a small comfort in knowing that tomorrow is Friday. Fridays always bring a sense of relief, a quiet joy that feels like a reward at the end of the week. I spoke to brother in the Middle East earlier; he gets Fridays and Saturdays off. It made me wonder why the weekend hasn’t arrived here already.

Cant wait to write something and head to bed. Woke up early, had a friend crash over last night, a dear old friend visiting from Birmingham.

I slept a bit funny but managed to wake up alright. Woke up a few times during the night, catching glimpses of a clear but freezing sky. The day barely reached 2 degrees, I didn’t feel the cold much. By 7:20 AM, I was out of bed, got to the gym, and had a short but really, really, really good workout!

Did upper, 4 x sets of 11 reps of Pull-ups, flat bench barbell press.. on my way home picked up some breakfast, the Sun was bright out by 8 am.. so bright that it stayed sunny most of the morning.

I offered only Fajr today. After returning home from the gym around 8:20 AM, I felt calm and refreshed, having already taken a long, soothing shower there. Perhaps it was the invigorating workout, or maybe it was simply one of those mornings where everything felt right.

Left home for work around 08:50, walking from Piccadilly to Westminster. The route took me through St. James’s Park, and the walk was absolutely delightful—peaceful, serene, and made even better by the sight of ducks gliding across the water.

I arrived at work around 9:15, and it was unusually quiet for a Thursday—there was hardly anyone around, which felt surprisingly refreshing. On my way in, I called my parents, and they were having lunch. I had a quick catch-up with my mom, while my dad sat beside her, listening in.

The workday went smoothly. I caught up with a friend in the office, then had a long chat with another colleague. At 1:00 PM, I took my lunch break and treated myself to two lamb steaks.

Why do I write all of this? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. It’s just something I feel compelled to do at the end of the day. Years ago, a dear friend named Andreas gave me a notebook and encouraged me to write each night—just a few lessons learned and three things I was grateful for that day. I stuck with it for a while, but who writes by hand anymore? These days, I mostly type—on my laptop, my phone—wherever feels easiest.

Writing with a pen felt almost absurd. And yet, here I am, day by day, on and off, whether I write in the notebook or not. I still sit in front of my laptop each evening, sometimes my phone, and I make sure something is written, something is shared, before the day ends. Maybe it’s not about the words or the purpose behind them; it’s about the continuity, the routine—the act of committing to something, even if the outcome isn’t clear. At least I know, no matter what, I gave it my all.

And so I ask you! yes, you! take a moment each day to reflect on something that truly matters to you—something that’s meaningful to you, and you alone. It doesn’t have to be writing. It could be listening to music, singing, drawing, helping others—whatever makes you feel alive, whatever gives you that sense of fulfillment, that feeling of being present in this world. Do something every day that brings you that quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed, even in a small way. So, start today, my dear friend. Go ahead, please—just do it…

Around the world today –

• World war 3 – European countries are increasing domestic military production and sourcing ammunition for Ukraine, but the promised one million artillery shells arrived eight months late. (Telegraph)

• People shelter in a metro station today during an air raid in Kyiv.

• Australia’s “Black Summer” wildfires in 2019-2020 devastated large areas, killing an estimated 1 billion animals and causing over A$2.3 billion in insurance claims. God please take me but leave those animals alone!

3 things I felt grateful for today

• I’m grateful for living closer to work. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but today, I’m thankful.

• I’m grateful for the long conversations I had today—catching up with my mom, my brother, my boss, a colleague, and my best mate for 40 min.

• And I’m grateful for the sleep that’s soon to come; I’m looking forward to it.

What would it take for me and for you to wake up 10 x times bigger, thicker more energetic confident happy, and grateful wake up early in the morning, make it work out, have a good workout, and then start work on time, everything to be okay with family, friends and everyone around then have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing, yet a productive day tomorrow?

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Goodnight, good luck!

Ash Khaleem