Stop, Look & Listen Baby

Seraphim —

To quote J.K Rowling: "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Decisions: Life is full of them. For example: Should you watch TV or do homework? Should you go swimming or go to a movie? Should you go out for a school team or get a job? You will never face a shortage of choices. You will need to make lots of decisions as you go through life.

You want to see something on TV, but watching TV will keep you from doing a homework assignment. Time is your real problem. In economic terms, you have a scarcity of time, not enough to do all you want, so you'll need to make a trade-off. This means you will have to choose to give up something to get something else.

When it is about TV or homework, your goal might be to learn the homework subject because you like it, because you need a good grade or because you need the knowledge for future success. Or maybe your goal is the fun of seeing a particular show, being able to talk about it with your friends or spending time watching it with family.

Bottomline is all decisions should be made by stopping and thinking about what your about to do. Should I go to this Uni party? Ive avoided them throughout my course? Maybe i should check it out? On the other hand, they're its being held at a club, theres gonna be people intermixing, drinking alcohol, is it possible i could be influenced by them?

Whether you're deciding to do your homework or watch TV. Whether you're deciding on if you should go to this party or not. You should consider what is your goal in doing this? List all the possible outcomes? Consider if the benefits outway the problems? From a partial third person perspective is this a good decision for you?

So how do you make your decisions?

Are they always in your best interests?

Do you ever regret them?

Whats your reasoning behind your decision making.

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36 comments

Funzo Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 14:41

Seraphim
Should I go to this Uni party? Ive avoided them throughout my course? Maybe i should check it out? On the other hand, they're its being held at a club, theres gonna be people intermixing, drinking alcohol, is it possible i could be influenced by them?

Hmm, remember this from somewhere 😂

Naz Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 22:09

trust your instincts. If there is a lil voice in your head thats saying no dont do it, or dont go to such a such a place listen to the voice (an no im not hearing things nor am i doo lalee).

Seraphim Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 22:59

Naztrust your instincts. If there is a lil voice in your head thats saying no dont do it, or dont go to such a such a place listen to the voice (an no im not hearing things nor am i doo lalee).

The problem with this situation is alot of the time theres conflicting voices that say "do it" or "Dont do it" or in Funzo's case "just beat it".

So how to decide when the voices conflict?

Funzo Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:05

I said LIKE or in the same tune as beat it! but i didnt expect you to understand that lol im only joking btw no need to go all yoda on me, Yeh but a valid point though.

Funzo Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:06

Gave it some thought and i think the best thing to do is refer it to islam(i mean thats why its such a great religion; its not just a relgion its a way of life)

MuslimSister Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:12

1. Talk to God.
2. With Him, construct a pro's and cons list.
3. Give sadqa.
4. Trust your instincts and follow your heart.

And no I have never regretted an decision I have made - sometimes decisions were made for me and were out of my control, however, I have always been happy with the outcome (although, at times it took time to see that it was for the best)

Funzo Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:14

How can you follow your heart when it so easily can be corrupted by the shaytaan or just immoral thinking?

MuslimSister Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:17

If you've sincerly spoken to God, done an Istakhara, given sadqa - then there's no reason why you wont be guided into making the right decision.

This process hasnt let me down till date.

Funzo Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:18

I was just about to say i like your first suggestions but listening to your heart on its own isnt enough for me.

MuslimSister Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:30

The list above needs to be followed in order.

'listening to your heart' can only be done after you've sincerly asked God to help you make the right decision.

You Sat, 24 Nov 2007 - 23:52

Human nature will inherently look towards the better of two options. Ofcourse most people are used to ignoring that voice to the extent that it cannot be heard, but it is there.

AFAIK There is even a hadith on this saying a similar thing.

and JK Rowling? She is the one who decided to say that one of the main characters was gay? after she had completed her book series? I don't hold her to any esteem whatsoever.

Funzo Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 01:18

why should anybody, all she did was create one series of books not like she was some sort of mandela or ghandi.

MuslimSister Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 19:02

I was reflecting on this today...as I'm currently being confronted with a decision.

I can make up a mental list of pro's and cons, ask for help from Him(swt) I can over analyse the situation...however, there are times in a persons life when one is STILL not clear about what decision they should make.

Cos in certain situations its not good to trust ones heart too much or their intellect.

So...in such situations, its best just to hand the matter to God, and tell Him, that you want HIM, to make hearts and situations fall into place only if HE thinks its best.

Its not wise to accept something straight away or reject it either. Sometimes in life, its best to allow the decision to be made for you - esp if your not sure yourself.

Seraphim Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 19:54

YouHuman nature will inherently look towards the better of two options. Ofcourse most people are used to ignoring that voice to the extent that it cannot be heard, but it is there.

AFAIK There is even a hadith on this saying a similar thing.

and JK Rowling? She is the one who decided to say that one of the main characters was gay? after she had completed her book series? I don't hold her to any esteem whatsoever.

Ofcourse you'd look to the better of the two options. But the question is better for whom?

Yes, she did reveal one of the characters was gay after releasing all her books however that is neither here nor there when looking at the wisdom in the given quote. It makes no difference.

EDIT: Stick to topic people.

-ThePhantomMod

MuslimSister Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:34

How many people have done an istakhara when making a major decision in your life had the right decision made for you?

Seraphim Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:35

MuslimSisterHow many people have done an istakhara when making a major decision in your life had the right decision made for you?

Only when theres major decisions needing to be made.

Usually i just follow my instincts and let my consciounce be my guide.

Seraphim Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:36

NoorNever done an istakhara. Have never needed to make any major decisions.

How come? Does someone else make them for you? 😂

Funzo Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:37

Seraphim
Usually i just follow my instincts and let my consciounce be my guide.

conscience

Funzo Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:38

NoorNever done an istakhara. Have never needed to make any major decisions.

spoon fed by your parents i see.

Ya'qub Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:38

Seraphim

Usually i...let my consciounce be my guide.

you base your life on a disney song?

that's fair enough, but i'd base mine on 'hakunamatata' or at least 'the bear necessities'.

Noor Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:38

Seraphim

NoorNever done an istakhara. Have never needed to make any major decisions.

How come? Does someone else make them for you? :lol:

yeah, my dad :roll:

Funzo Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:40

Ya'qub

Seraphim

Usually i...let my consciounce be my guide.

you base your life on a disney song?

that's fair enough, but i'd base mine on 'hakunamatata' or at least 'the bear necessities'.

hakunamatata is a goodun

Seraphim Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:41

Ya'qub

Seraphim

Usually i...let my consciounce be my guide.

you base your life on a disney song?

that's fair enough, but i'd base mine on 'hakunamatata' or at least 'the bear necessities'.

lol! How is that a disney song? (ive not seen a disney movie since... well along time).

Hakunamatata is also a good rule to live by.

MuslimSister Sun, 25 Nov 2007 - 22:47

There's times in my life when I dont trust myself (or anyone else) to make a major decision for me...in such instances, I pray and wish that the decision is made for me from above.

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