Depression.
When is it the oppression of the self?
The previous episode we talked about our escalator metaphor that we have been using in one on one coaching and we have been seeing amazing results. Tune into this week’s episode to find out the tool two reasons people don’t take actions.
Yes, we’ll give you the top two reasons people don’t take actions that would actualize their dreams. We’ll also give our final technique on how to do what you don’t feel like doing in our next episode.
Bismillah. Alhumdulillah. Wa Salat Al al-Salam wa rasulullah. This is breakthrough coach, Zubair.
Welcome to the new episode of Muslim Mastery.
You can access the video series here.
The biggest reason don’t take actions towards their dreams is deep down they don’t actually believe they can achieve it.
Do you have a dream that you want to achieve?
How long do you think it will take you to get really close to it?
Do you have a plan on how to get it?
Are you really not taking action?
Most likely, the reason is that you don’t believe that it’s possible for you to achieve it. You may think that dream is achievable but not by you. Let’s see how you overcome this. Let’s ask yourself;
- Do you have a strategy?
- Do you know the next, best steps to get closer to your goal?
- If not, get it!
You can google, you can read book, you can take courses. There really is no excuse not to have a strategy these days. If you have a strategy, you know what to do, then is there any other reason you think that you cannot achieve your dreams? Did you check out the episode on the amazing things you have already achieved? If not, check it out. It will reassure you that you are capable of doing great things.
Is it because of some past experience, some loss that you have faced that you are not taking action towards your dreams? In our previous episode we talked about how to use the escalator metaphor to deal with any sort of losses. Breakups, divorces, losing a loved one, losing a job. Whatever it is, take a look at our escalator metaphor. It will, In Shaa Allah, help you.
What meaning are you giving to the losses that you have had?
Are those meanings empowering or limiting? Who’s stopping you from changing those meanings?
On the topic of mastering emotions; do you even believe that you can master your own emotions? If you are suffering from depression, do you think it’s curable?
Let us remind you what we talked about in our earlier episode that the Messenger of Allah (saw) has told us that there is no disease that does not have a cure.
Do you understand what that means?
That means that there is cure for everything. Who is saying this? The Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of the one who is the lord of heavens and earth and whatever is between them.
Do you really believe there is a cure?
If not, then you may want to revisit and recheck yourself.
If you believe there is a cure, are you seeking your cure? Are you trying what will benefit you? Are you trying that consistently? Or are you giving up? Are you using the power of dua consistently everyday? Are you using the power of Qur’an consistently everyday?
We have been talking about these two powerful spiritual tools in our earlier episodes. Review them and ask yourself why are you not applying them. If you are not applying them isn’t it like self-oppression? At the end of this episode, we’ll share with you one specific dua that is guaranteed to work for sure. Because it is backed up by the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of the one who is the creator of everyone and everything. The Messenger of the one without whose permission, there is no cure.
Once again, we are not saying to stop medicine. We discussed what should one on medication do in our previous episode. Please review that so you do not misunderstand our advice regarding medicine.
The second biggest reason people don’t make progress towards their dreams is they actually don’t have any dream. It is what they use as a coverup for people. Some of us say, “You know what, I plan to study such-and-such field. I plan to get a degree. I plan to learn this skill.” But what their doing is just saying something that will sound nice. They really don’t want it. THey may have some sort of an inner conflict. Such that, they’re afraid to take risks and they still want to run their own business. They don’t believe in their own ideas. They don’t want to spend time and money on their own ideas. They don’t invest in themselves and they want others to invest.
Really ask your; what are your true dreams and passions that you want to pursue? Now you may ask, how is having dreams going to help me? Think about it; if you wake up and you do not have any purpose that excites you. You do not have a strategy or action steps on how to achieve what excites you. You would worry more and more about small, petty things. You won’t look at the bigger picture.
You’ll practically have no value for your time.
You would not be making conscious choices about how you spend your time. Which people you hang out with. WHich people you listen to. WHich type of food you feed your body and which type of thoughts and content you feed your brain. I hope you can now see the connection on why the planning and identity exercises that we asked you to do in episode one and two are super important in mastering your life. Go back and revisit those exercises.
Check this out.
S’ad bin Abi Waqqas (radiallahu anhu) was recorded to have said from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that the supplication of Dhun-Nun, when he invoked Allah (swt) from the darkness inside the big fish,
“None has the right to be worshipped but you, oh Allah. Glorified are you. Perfect are you. Far away from any deficiency or imperfection are you, oh Allah. ُTruly I have been of the wrongdoers.”
Now the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is saying that no Muslim invoked Allah (swt) with this supplication except that Allah (swt) responds to him. SubhanAllah. Look at this.
This is a promise of the Messenger of Allah. It’s a very simple, beautiful dua. Let’s be clear, let’s be honest with ourselves. How many times do we actually use it?
I will say this in Arabic for you;
Please add dua. It is not in notes.
You are affirming that there is no god, no deity worthy of worship except Allah. And you are glorifying Allah. You are declaring that Allah is removed from any imperfections. Allah is far away from any imperfection or any deficiency. Imagine, the one who is away from any imperfection, away from and deficiency, that means he can do everything. He can make you come out of your trouble. He can give you goals. He can give you dreams. He can inspire you. He can motivate you, he can take away your laziness. He can take away your depression. So let’s consistently ask and beg Allah to give it to us.
Let’s look at a simple technique to change your physiology to change your psychology.
When you are feeling depressed, give us two minutes, write this down, practise it out, script it out and give us two minutes.
Smile.
Change your posture into a power posture and smile as big as you can. Hold this position for 60 seconds. If you don’t know what a power posture is, look it up. Google it, you;love see images of it. Pick a pose and smile as big as you can and do it for 60 seconds. After that 60 seconds either take walk, skip rope, do jumping jacks, do push-ups. If you have physical limitations then do as close to it as possible while being safe.
If you did not even try, just know this; why are you not trying this technique? In the next episode we’ll shed some light on why we don’t do what we should be doing.
Until next time…
Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, ‘ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta, ‘astaghfiruka wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayka
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Muslim Mastery Breakthroughs is our weekly podcast series in which we share insights on how you can achieve breakthroughs in your life to unlock your spirituality, relationships, and mindset. You will get practical steps towards living a truly extraordinary and fulfilling life in sha Allah.
To check out previous episodes visit Breakthrough Podcast
Got questions or comments? Send us an email at breakthroughs at muslimmastery.com