Live Life Now

“What is the matter with you that you dont give your response to Allah and his Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life?” Holy Quran

I am currently waiting in an airport to travel back home. I just finished a week long vacation with my family in Los Angeles, California. Alhamdulillah, we had a great time. However, being the observationist that I am, I couldn’t help but notice the lifestyle and health of the people of Los Angeles in general. Los Angeles in my opinion is a city that never sleeps. People will actually stay up until 2 am and have to be at work for 8am the next day. This habit alone can take years from your life. Its not like they are staying up for Tahajud or anything like that. These people stay up and talk, drink, and watch television! I went to my wife’s high school reunion picnic and noticed how most people were over weight, drank alcohol, spoke negatively and in general just seemed depressed. Whenever I travel and go to a city I observe the general health of people.  Living the spiritual life, eating healthy and exercising leads to less depression and makes one a happier person in general. The people I encountered all had sad stories. Most of my wife’s classmates not only looked older than their actual ages, they also were not married and some had two and three children out of wedlock. Furthermore a lot of them did not have careers they could readily be proud of. I am sure this is not the case with most of Los Angeles, but just the people whom I came in contact with. People at my hotel were up late drinking in the lobby. When I came to the airport this morning people were having alcoholic drinks in the morning with their breakfast!

I realize this is the way of most people! Most people, Muslims included simply meander through life not thinking they will die one day. They don’t get proper rest, eat horribly, and don’t exercise daily. As a result they are procrastinators, more depressed because they can never set a goal and accomplish anything. People don’t realize that good behavior will save their lives. Proper eating, rest, consistent exercise can help you turn a life of misery into a life of abundant joy and happiness. People continue to put their ideals, goals and aspirations on hold for some imagined time in the distant future. Don’t think for a nanosecond that you will live that long. Begin to enjoy your life right now in the present. Insha Allah you can make this happen by putting Allah first in everything you do. Make daily exercise a priority like your salat or your mealtimes. Make the best choices with your diet. Learn how to turn down food at social gatherings that will contribute to your bad health. Stop acting as if you have all the time in the world to get in shape and be truly happy and healthy. Stop waiting, hesitating and blowing off life- altering opportunities.