When we recognize the wholeness and strength within ourselves and act from that place of deep inner knowing, our lives naturally begin to shift. People looking in from the outside might see a rougher, tougher path than most but from the inside looking out, what they see as "tough" is just where I’ve learned to be fearless.
In a real sense, all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. I felt that deeply recently while taking my daughter prom dress shopping. First off, let me say: those dresses are expensive! But watching her try them on and seeing the magic unfold right before my eyes made me realize my "Ninibean" isn’t a bean anymore. She’s sprouted from a seed into a beautiful plant.
I’ve learned to value the things most people overlook because they see them every day. Being the only man in that shop, I felt a peace I can’t describe. It also brought some sadness, reflecting on what I missed with my other daughters due to old grudges and selfishness. But coming to grips with that past is what allowed me to "understand the assignment" this time. The feeling was so overwhelming that I actually teared up. Of course, reality hit eventually—we found the dress, had to leave, go get her mother, and go back to do it all over again!
To have a family like this and the relationships we are building, especially coming from where I came from... all I can say is As-salamu alaykum.
