SELF-REFLECTION

If we are grateful for the happiness of others, we are in fact learning to be grateful for what God has bestowed upon ourselves. Yet often we observe the calmness of other people’s lives not to learn from it, but to search for its flaws disguised behind carefully chosen words.

We grow noisy when attention is not given as we expect; this is a sign of restlessness and insecurity within our own souls.

We advise others not to give up, while in truth we ourselves are struggling with despair.

We hope that goodness will emerge from what we share, yet at the same time we are reluctant to accept the views and corrections of others.

Truly, the words of the elders and the Sufi masters are wise: reflect upon yourself first, before being busy judging the reflection in someone else’s mirror.

In short: we want to do the right thing, but we go about it in the wrong way.