It’s the end of a long and moving school year. I feel exhausted and really look forward to the holidays and some weeks off – I need a break!
During this year, times changed from hard to great, and around – not very stable, very challenging with many ups and downs the whole way long.
The end of a school year always means to look back, to reflect and to do the accountability; to look at the numbers, the results, and the facts, to take stock and to draw conclusions.
This is one of these moments, when I realize the big mission we took and when I feel the burden of our responsibility, mashaallah:
We are a social business and only able to exist and to grow thanks to the financial donations of others.
Our schools are totally dependent on external financing and the goodwill of other people. Therefore the existence of our business is always based on vague hope – hope to find people who like to support our work, and hope to get the money we need in order to continue….
At the same time, as social entrepreneurs of this campus, we have to offer security and stability to many different people who are dependent on our existence and good performance: our many employees, many students, parents, volunteers and the society…
Sometimes, all these facts and the reality feel like a big package to carry. Especially when I am stressed, tired or overloaded by work… it then all looks so huge, so heavy, so unsure, sometimes even hopeless and impossible. Astaghfirullah, audhu billahi!
And then there are the times, subhanallah, happily most of the time, when God gives me strength and belief; when He fills me with a clear picture of our mission and with the certainty that we will succeed.
Then I feel full of hope, energy, positive vibes and ready to go further, to strive to succeed and to grow this place of light and chances for all. Alhamdulillah. Then I feel so clearly that there is no other way to go, that we have to continue and to work on this big project of our life.
Maybe all of this, the back and forth, these ups and downs, the fear and the hope, the worries and the strength is normal for a leader to feel:
Feeling like a tool of God, humble, knowing how absolutely dependent we are on Him. Knowing for sure that there is nothing really to fear or to count on, except Him. Following the inner call, feeling inner peace and freedom, because nothing bad can happen. God will never let us fall. Everything is possible through Him.
In order to attain the possible, one must attempt the impossible;
in order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.
according to Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo and Hermann Hesse
Over the years I’ve learned several methods, how to handle these ups and downs and the moments of despair.
When I began to realize the responsibility and the power of influence I have with my work and attitude, I needed to take control. Seeing how much my mood and mindset directly influence the others around, I know now how important it is to stay strong and hopeful:
If I am positive, everybody can be positive
– and with an “yes we can”-attitude we can really move mountains together!
I read a lot and learned different tools on how to stay positive, how to believe in Allah’s bounty and blessings, how to take the path of a visionary and a leader, and how to develop prosperity-consciousness despite all the critics of the confirmed pessimists.
And because I think we all are kind of a leader in certain fields of our life, I share the list with you:
- Most important: Know what you really want and what you wish for. Have a vision. Know your aims and your values. Be very clear, specific and focussed about it.
- Picture these aims and wishes inside your head. Clearly visualize them as if they were already real.
- Create treasure maps for all these wishes
- Very important: stop the little man inside your head, the little Mr.Doubt, the shaitaan.
- Work on a positive mindset and work off old and inhibiting beliefs (this is very hard and never ending work on your inner thoughts!).
- Get enough sleep; take care of your health, body, energy and soul.
- Read, say aloud, write and repeat positive affirmations and quotes of encouragement.
- Keep a journal of your feelings and your mood.
- Remind yourself of what you’ve already achieved, alhamdulillah.
- Open yourself to receive. Allow yourself to be successful. Be ready for all the good, the blessings and prosperity out there.
- Be very careful with whom you share your thoughts and vision.
Avoid doubtful or negative people (all these “if’s”, “but’s”…).
Protect yourself against their pessimistic influence. Never let stop yourself by others who didn’t really achieve a lot.
- Take very, very much care with whom you spend your precious time, know that your environment has lot of power on your feelings and thoughts.
- Spend time alone to hear your real inner voice.
- If everything seems hopeless and thoughts are just negative: take a walk in nature or go sleeping – tomorrow the sun shines anew.
- Read powerful and encouraging literature on prosperity or biographies from great people:
The holy Qur’an, The Bible, Napoleon Hill’s: ”Think and grow rich” (he even writes very respectful about the power of prophet Mohammed (sas)), Catherine Ponder’s different prosperity books (beautifully related to our Creator), Prentice Mulford, Orison Swett Marden, biographies of great people and achievers, …
- Make dua’ (invocations), Istikhaara, read Qur’an and deeply be comforted by the faith that nothing and no one can hurt us except by Gods will – in and through God everything is possible and absolutely and eternally good.
- Make wudu (ritual washing) and pray, pray, pray!
And now, off into the vacations! Wishing you a wonderful summer friends!
Nothing is too good to be true; nothing is too wonderful to happen, nothing is too great to last.
The Prophet (sas) said,
“Allah the Most High said, ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
… this means He will forgive his servant if he seeks such, will accept his repentance if he repents, will answer him if he supplicates, and will suffice him if he asks for something …
(Imam Nawawi, al-Qadi ‘Iyad, Sharh Sahih Muslim)
Dear friends, thank you so much for the lovely comments to my last post. And special thanks to those who would like to support our work and donate. The informations for donations you can find here: 
and trust in HIM.
