The peace within you is stronger than all the chaos around you!

🌈 1334 – Friday, 11 April 2025 23:59

London

It’s late at night and I want to write, but I’m not sure where to begin or what exactly to say. I’ve been trying to make a habit of jotting things down at the end of the day, though I took a long break from it. And like with most habits, if you stop for too long, it starts to slip away. I’ve been wondering—how does someone stay truly focused on the thing that matters most to them? Maybe it’s about wanting it badly enough. Maybe it’s the desire or even the discomfort that pushes people to get things done.

Sometimes, pain or pressure gives us the push we need, but once we’ve made it through, that pain can turn into something we’re actually grateful for. It helps us grow, and without it, we might not finish what we started.

Still, I look around and wonder—why does it seem so effortless for some people? No real struggle, no obvious drive, yet they seem to have everything figured out. But I suppose everyone’s mind is battling something, even if you can’t see it from the outside.

Anyway, that was a bit of a rant—just writing whatever came to mind. It’s nearly midnight now, and London has gone quiet. I’m in Mayfair, on Clarges Street. To my right is Green Park, and to my left is a lane that leads to some hidden Mews. It’s unusually peaceful here for Central London. I just saw a girl walking down the street, probably heading home after a Friday night out. The area is mostly filled with high-end hotels and empty flats owned by people who live overseas. But tonight, I’ve been gifted a bit of calm, and I want to use it well—stay focused and motivated.

I actually started my day pretty early—woke up around 6:08 AM with some serious muscle soreness from yesterday’s workout. It was the good kind of sore, though. I got out of bed to use the bathroom, then sat down and meditated, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha (Alham) 40 times. I read my dad’s morning prayer message, checked the home security cam to make sure everything was okay with mum, then got dressed and headed to the gym at Piccadilly by 7.

Had a good, good, good upper body workout – four sets of eleven pull-ups, then butterfly presses, lateral raises, bicep curls, and hammer curls with barbells. Quick shower, then got straight home and to my desk.

It was a good Friday. The sun was out, the vibes were chill, and I stayed productive through the morning. Took a little break to tidy up the flat.

Around 10:30 AM, I spoke to Mum. She was doing okay, chatting with her younger sister. Dad and my brother had gone to check on her next round of radiation.

Earlier, I had a catch-up with my boss—it went smoothly. Worked steadily till 1 PM, then took a break for lunch and made wudu before heading to Jumma prayer at the Egyptian Bureau nearby. The building was beautiful, and the khutbah was powerful—it was all in Arabic, and there were duas both before and after salah. It was actually the first time I felt confident wearing a cap to prayer, maybe because this area has a strong Arab presence. I even got a nod from a man in a suit on my way back—it felt good.

After that, I got back to work, ate some chickpeas at my desk, had a quick call to check in with brother and my best mate, and finally logged off around 5:30 PM. I felt like sleeping after a long week, I went straight to bed and was knocked out like I hadn’t slept in days. Slept from 17:55 to 20:20—deep and undisturbed.

The rest of the evening was kind of a blur—just a mix of thoughts, silence, and a strange peace.

Around with the rest of the hopeful world today –

• Ukraine-Russia war – Russia has launched a substantial spring offensive, markedly increasing its military activities across Ukraine. Approximately 67,000 Russian troops have been redeployed to the Sumy border.

• In response to these escalations, over 40 countries convened in Brussels, pledging a record €21 billion in military aid to Ukraine. (The Guardian)

• Israel and Palestine war – As of Friday, April 11, 2025, Israel completed the Morag corridor, effectively isolating Rafah from the rest of Gaza, intensifying the blockade and exacerbating humanitarian conditions.

I wish the world would finally pause – lay down its weapons, ask forgiveness for the suffering we’ve caused. Let every soldier, every leader, every citizen go within, sit in stillness, and reflect deeply – for six months, in silence, in meditation, in truth. Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Hamas – please, just stop!!! Enough is enough. Let humanity choose healing over hatred. Let peace thunder louder than war.

3 Things I Felt Grateful For Today

• Grateful for the flat I’m in right now—it’s a peaceful space, and I’m lucky to call it home.

• Grateful for the comfort I’ve been given, and the time I have to slow down and reflect.

• Grateful for the weekend ahead—no plans, just the freedom to follow my heart.

Now, imagine this— What would it take for you and me to wake up tomorrow feeling ten times stronger, more vibrant, more confident? To rise early, smash a powerful morning workout, feel joy, gratitude, and calm in our hearts… To know that our families, friends, and everyone around us are okay… And to step into a day that’s both peaceful and productive?

Let’s aim for that. Let’s create that.

And hey, if you’re feeling this vibe—sign up for the monthly newsletter below.

Sleep well, dream big.

Goodnight & good luck,

Ash Khaleem