Cherry Tree

Sour Cherries - you have patiently taught me a lot about life: how you and I, and everything else on earth, is connected. And basically, how I don't know crap about gardening.
You've shown me that I am not the Master of you. It was irrelevant that I couldn't differentiate between a Sweet or Sour Cherry Tree, you still grew and bore fruit, and somehow foreign birds and bugs magically appeared and devoured every single piece you carefully produced .

Nothing is ever wasted in nature. Except by us, humans.

I've watched you humbly serve the animal community for several years, but today, is the day, I've discovered --that you, My Friend, are used in pie fillings, jams, and countless desserts!

As a result, I proudly partake in making our first ever batch of Jam-ish sauce, as you, my wise friend, hold back your giggles. That's ok... because this sauce will be the envy of the world!!!

Watch out world...
for iftar time,
as we need to feast upon this deliciousness,
as soon as we break open our fast!!

Empathy

Rarely, if ever, do I see advice that reminds people to build and return to a heathy center. (I feel very lucky to have met enough people to help me realize that in my low moments). That spiritual/emotional centre is so important – from picking partners, to raising children, to making daily mundane decisions - it helps us curb our inanity in innumerable ways. Mostly, we are trapped with “Islam on Steroids” brand of counseling where your legs and brain are not fast enough, to keep up with the so called ‘Sacredness” of the Holy One (insert your clique leader here). Shame and perfection are celebrated at the expense of the questioner’s dignity. And side –eye and condescending examples are used to put you back into the assembly line.
This piece exhibited empathy for me. Empathy is the first step to help someone return to their center. As, Dr. Jackson, in his lectures has perceptively stated, One can live with a lot of broken rules of Shariah, but what repentance can there be from a broken soul or psyche?

Ms. Perfect

If you never make mistakes, never apologize, never exhibit self -control, then why expect anything but a tantrum from a mini-me version of your crabby perfect self? You think you're perfect? I'll show you "Perfect" and get you to clean my poop after. ‪#‎winning‬
Model vulnerability, resiliency, humility( the capacity to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously), joy, and respect. Model You. The real, less than perfect, you.
Your child demands presence and meaningful connection, not perfection.

Children don't remember rules; they remember how you made them feel. Blah blah.
Welcome!

Teaching Children (Children in big bodies included) how to think, not what to think

I.                    

 Experiences Build Brain Structures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNNsN9IJkws

Executive Function

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efCq_vHUMqs

Serve & Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_5u8-QSh6A

II.                  Living Whole- Heartedly  - Brene Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are 
 Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Downloads

http://brenebrown.com/downloads-badges/

III.                Recognizing and Accepting your baggage  Shefali Tsabary

The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children

IV.               " But we don't begin with the thinking or the acting,'' the 58-year-old Coloroso says. ``We begin with caring.'' - Barbara Coloroso

Kids Are Worth It: Raising Resilient, Responsible, Compassionate Kids

Just Because It's Not Wrong Doesn't Make It Right: Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically

Walk It, Talk it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bmmt8L3hLY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtzjtxxIRnQ

Discipline vs. Punishment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPShs9ZeSIY&list=PLtjcq2gNj2iJFaqDEsUe2pCu0y7_qNedx

Six Critical Life Messages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-UQ1MipaK4&index=2&list=PLtjcq2gNj2iJFaqDEsUe2pCu0y7_qNedx

Three Types of Families

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lNEiGRnyJM&index=3&list=PLtjcq2gNj2iJFaqDEsUe2pCu0y7_qNedx
  
From school yard bullying to genocide: Barbara Coloroso at TEDxCalgary
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkG0nssouFg

Jane Nelson

Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World: Seven Building Blocks for Developing Capable Young People

V.                  Montessori

 

Beauty and Aesthetics in Islam

Beauty and Aesthetics in Islam

"All creation reflects the cosmic intelligence, but only man, who is the central being in the terrestrial world that he inhabits, reflects it in an active, creative sense. Reason deals with the sensory world and intellect with the metaphysical world. When a complementary relationship between reason and intellect is achieved, it can become the guide which ultimately leads man to the highest form of 'knowledge' possible. For a Muslim, Islamic art is one of the means by which he can attain this 'knowledge', whether through creating it or by contemplating its beauty." -

Wijdan Ali

Zero Waste

Bea Johnson's Zero Waste lifestyle on CCTV America

Bea Johnson lives waste-free with her family since 2008 and is the author of the bestseller Zero Waste Home. Through her work, Bea, aka "The Priestess of Waste-Free Living" (NYT), has launched a global movement and continues to inspire a growing community to live simply and take a stance against needless waste. She has appeared on TV shows and in publications around the world and is the leading spokesperson for the zero waste lifestyle.

 

Zero Waste Tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramdan Challenge - 2015

There is no point system this year. Transitioning to service based calendar in order to delay gratification. Gifts will be presented in many forms on Eid.

Download Here

Sample: 

Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday
Bake something for your neighbors! Write a Thank-You note	Say salaam to 5 new people at Juma. Smile at everyone	Build/buy a bird feeder Grow some plants, water some plants	Sit with an elderly person, bring them water, and ask them about their childhood	Find 10 pairs of opposites. Does Allah swt have an opposite?	Weed your neighbor’s yard Give away 3 books.	Really listen to someone! Smile at them, hug them Make Eid Cards

 

Collection of service Ideas

"Whatever good you send ahead for yourselves you will find it with 
Allah, Subhanahu wa ta’ala, as something better and as a great reward. "
73:583

"And whosoever is saved from his own greed, they are the successful ones. 
If you lend to Allah, Subhanahu wa ta’ala,  a beautiful loan, 
He will double it for you and forgive you.” 
64: 16-17

 

Kindness Ideas

Family service Projects

100-acts-kindness-kids 50-ways-to-make-a-difference-this-summer