Dear sisters,
We are not only defined by our internal qualities but also by the mish-mesh and accumulation of countless memories – interactions with people and circumstances – over space and time. Sometimes you might read something which leaves a great impression on you and is reawakened every now and then throughout life.
One of the set books for O-Level English Literature, which I studied many years ago, was ‘The Great Gatsby’ by Scott Fitzgerald. The rich language and imagery more than makes up for the short novel. On the face of it, the novel is a cautionary tale of unrequited love, but the subplot is infused with anecdotes on how a poor boy embraced ‘The American Dream.’ Even when he was young, he wanted to ‘make a name for himself’ and eagerly put together a program for self-improvement:
“On the last fly-leaf was printed the word SCHEDULE, and the date September 12, 1906. And underneath:
Rise from bed…………………………………………………..6.00 A.M.
Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling……………………6.15-6.30 ”
Study electricity, etc. ………………………………………..7.15-8.15 ”
Work……………………………………………………………….8.30-4.30 P.M.
Baseball and sports…………………………………………..4.30-5.00 ”
Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it………5.00-6.00 ”
Study needed inventions…………………………………..7.00-9.00 “
GENERAL RESOLVES
No wasting time at Shafters or [a name, indecipherable]
No more smoking or chewing
Bath every other day
Read one improving book or magazine per week
Save $5.00 [crossed out] $3.00 per week
Be better to parents”
However, his meteoric rise to fame and riches, through bootlegging, is doomed because his vision, his goal and purpose in life are corrupted and unrealistic. He wanted to escape his humble beginnings and impress the girl of his dreams but when he was finally successful in the material sense, he was left unfulfilled and disillusioned. The dream was shattered!
Gatsby had a good plan and somewhat noble intentions but his strategy was flawed because he didn’t have a clear vision or a contingency plan or even achievable targets. He didn’t take into consideration his place in the universe, the fleeting nature of life and the true purpose of his existence.
Now, what is the point of these ramblings? Before we begin on our journey, we need to have a clear vision: what do you want to achieve? My advice to you is to aim high – not just Paradise, but the highest ranks. Why do you want to join me on this journey – ultimately it should be for the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’la). Think of it this way – insha’Allah as you become healthier, happier and more confident, you will be more enthusiastic about fulfilling your roles and responsibilities in following Allah’s commands.
I will speak more about setting SMART targets next time, but for now let us renew our intentions and make sincere dua to Allah (subhana wa ta’la) to help us achieve our objectives.