“WHAT IF, we learned to surf the waves?” – “Have no fear! I am with you, hearing and seeing.”S.20 V.46

Life is not a long quiet river, is it?

We sometimes have to face the waves, the trials of life.

Like waves, these trials are unpredictable and can be very difficult to face.

Nevertheless, they are necessary to grow and learn about ourselves.

After each wave, we learn from our mistakes, we discover our weaknesses and our limits, as well as our strengths.

Thus, it makes us more resilient and better prepared in order to avoid drowning in the heavy swells of a rough sea.

What if the secret to happiness was to accept these challenges and learn to surf the waves by keeping inspirational quotes in mind and continuing to move forward and create, thus, our balance?

“And pray, “My Lord! Allow me a blessed landing, for You are the best accommodator.”(Surah 29, Verse 23)

A/  The 4 main keys to happiness

1/  Detachment

Detachment is crucial in order to feel free and not be frustrated. This does not mean totally neglecting this life but not putting it in our hearts.

It helps us to live in the present moment without worrying about our past or our future.

It allows us to focus on the essential: to stay in action with a serene mind and heart!

“Wealth and children are the adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope.” S.18 V.46

“Whatever you have been given is only enjoyment and adornment of the life of this world, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting. Will you not then understand?” S.28 V.60

 2/ Acceptation

We were created to be tested until our death. And we have been warned!

“He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.” S.67. V.2

However, these trials are there to help us grow. We have to accept them and face them positively by surrendering to our Lord. This, of course, implies a detachment to better cope with your new situation.

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. ‘ S.2 V.155

Moreover, we have not to forget that we are only human beings with our weaknesses and fragilities. We can not know and control everything, be everywhere and do everything. Only, our Lord is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent!

Accepting our humanity and our limits is the best way to happiness. It helps us relativize and not be overwhelmed by seeking perfection.

“God wants to lighten your burden as human beings were created weak.” S.4 V.28

3/  Trust

Accepting our fate helps us to move forward and be patient. For that, we have to think positively about our Creator. Thus, we can rely only on Him and not despair. Indeed, HE represents your only buoy against the high and difficult waves.

“And whoever puts his trust in Allah, he will be enough for him.” S.65 V.3“  

We, just, have to invoke the support of our Lord to direct us to the right way and be convinced that HE will answer us.

“So We answered his prayer and rescued him from anguish. And so do We save the ˹true˺ believers.” S.21 V.88

Be confident and know that hard times make us strong men and strengthen our faith.  And, whether the event is good or bad, everything will pass and be forgotten with time.

“On the Day they see it, it will be as if they had stayed ˹in the world˺ no more than one evening or one morning.” S.79 V.46

The waves follow one another, they go up and down and then disappear. Failures and successes, both, make us humble and grateful.

4/ Grateful 

Whatever situation you are going through,  let’s try to be grateful to the One who created us for all His blessings and to be merciful towards those around us. The best way is to compare us with those who have less or are in a worse situation than ours and not to envy others.

“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” S.2 V.152

Then, praise Allah by saying “Alhamdulillah”

And, keep in our minds these wonderful hadiths to be in contentment!

“Whoever among you wakes up in the morning secure in his dwelling, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, then it is as if the whole world has been given to him”

A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act which, if I do it, will cause Allah to love me and the people to love me.” So he (PBUH) said, “Renounce the world and Allah will love you, and renounce what the people possess and the people will love you.”

B/ Balancing life, source of happiness.

Balance is not something you find but something you create.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”

Will Durant

And, habits are necessary for our balance and, consequently, for our happiness!

Our balance is based on 4 pillars: our body, our relationships, our intellect, and our spirituality.

1/  Take care of our body. 

It’s essential to respect healthy nutrition and good sleep.

The Messenger (PBUH) said: 

«  The son of Adam can not fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he can not, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath. » Sunan al-Tirmidhi

« And made your sleep for rest, and made the night as a cover. » S. 78  V. 7-8

We do not neglect sports!

It helps us to stay in shape and empty our minds. Walking 30 minutes in the fresh air while contemplating nature can be enough to release the pressure and feel better.

B/  Establish good personal and professional relationships based on respect for difference, trust, kindness, and forgiveness.

“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another.” S.49 V.13

We, as human beings, need to feel surrounded, active and useful. It increases our self-esteem and makes us happy.

And, the best way is to visit and welcome our families, neighbors, and friends. It strengthens strong social ties and allows us to think together about how to serve better the community.

Moreover, we must preserve our relationships by adopting good behavior.

The Messenger (PBUH) said: 

«The strong man is not the one who can overpower others (in wrestling), rather the strong man is the one who controls himself when he gets angry. »

«Beware of suspicion is the worst of false tales, and do not look for the other’s faults and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another, and O Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers.»

«When you smile to your brother’s face, it is charity »

« But whoever endures patiently and forgives, that is a sign of real resolve. » S. 42 V. 43

Be careful, we do not seek to please people, seek only the satisfaction of our Creator, and respect our priorities.

C/ keep learning.

“Read!” S.98 V.1

The first verse revealed by our creator proves the importance of science, a science that nourishes our hearts and makes us humble!

Read a book, learn a new language, observe nature, improve in one field or discover another…we have the choice. Science is vast.

Learning awakens our minds and allows us to better apprehend the world, to understand it. Learning helps to keep informed, to form an opinion, a critical mind.

“O Allah, I ask you for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision, and deeds that will be accepted.” Hadith (Reported pas Ibn Majah)

D/ Nourish your heart with the reminder, “Dhikr” and good deeds.

Hearts are appeased with the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and the best reminder is the reading of the Qur’an.

A kind, peaceful and thankful heart will succeed.

Good deeds reform the heart and keep it away from certain diseases such as envy, and hatred.

« Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort. » S. 13  V. 28

« Indeed, humankind was created impatient, distressed when touched with evil, and withholding when touched with good, except those who pray.» S. 70  V. 19-22

« O reassured soul, Return to your Lord, well pleased with Him and well-pleasing to Him, So join My servants, And enter My Paradise. » S. 89  V. 27-30

To end, we have to keep in mind that nothing is acquired. We always need to renew our intention and our acceptance. Waves can surge at any time to test our hearts and proactiveness. So keep moving and stay positive to be happy!