Phone

The last day and a half my phone didn't work.  It went from needing a simple update yesterday into being a brick for a while.   I went to the masjid last night and it was nice not having a phone.  Everyone else took it out of their pocket for namaz and many checked their phone as soon as they could.  And during sabaq the parawnar made a deal about "giving your phone a break".  Apparently, that needs to be said.

This morning after not having a working phone for about 24 hours, I decided to go for a walk.  It is nice just getting outside and getting some fresh air.  I know that.  I usually walk with Zahra and I love her company.  This walk was by myself though.  I was walking at my own, very slow pace.

It was great.  It was truly electronics free.  No phone, no AirPods, no phone calls, no podcasts, no audiobooks.  I noticed not even having a phone in my pocket.  It felt very light and nice not even having that.

It didn't hurt that it was a beautiful day out.  I saw a kid out for a bike ride, an old couple sitting on a bench, very young kids playing at the park accompanied by a probably tired parent, a number of people also taking a walk, and old dudes who met on Tuesday morning to take advantage of the weather and play tennis.  I also noticed and didn't simply see the colors of the leaves changing.

It was inspiring.  I knew that it would be.  Talking a walk is probably good all the time.

This walk came at a particularly good time.  It helped me internalize sabaq yesterday and prepare me to receive sabaq tonight.  The jist of sabaq yesterday was achieving a life goal.  Most people don't have one.  Of those that do, many don't think about it very often.  Much of it made clear that most obstacles we put in our own way.  We only think of them as "obstacles".  

Taking a walk helped me put into perspective some of these "obstacles".  Not having electronic obstacles made it easier to do that.

Taher, you're phone doesn't have to be a brick to take a walk without it.

Stress

Work has found a way to stress me out again.  It's a different kind or stress.  It's more of a I have to do this or that.  It's different from I have to do a good job.  It's this low-level stress that seems to be there all the time.  It's robbing me of my time away from work.

I think this will happen again and many can probably relate to work stress in whatever form it comes in.

I'm reminded of two things today.  I resolved to care less about work back in Ramdan.  My thinking was simple.  Care what's worth caring about.  Work is low on the list.  Work became a higher quality when I was able to achieve this.  I'm renewing my efforts to care less about work.  It's tough to do.  It's a constant battle.  Work seems to be this worm that just consumes more and more.

The other thing is something very wise that 18 year-old Yusuf said.  He was talking about sports and probably didn't realize how wise and general what he said is.  It was definitely beyond his years and probably mine too.  He said "Stress is something you choose".  The ultimate example is in shahadat when Moula sits without worry.  He trusts 100%.

Taher, care about the things that matter.  Time is the most precious thing you have.  Don't give it away for free.