“Be More & Achieve More!”

Hi,

One thing that is really important to remember when the chips are down, you are feeling over-whelmed,

Success in Goals = Short Term Action x Long Term Planning

5 steps to your Success:-

1. Think then act; sometimes spontaneity can be a good thing
2. Take Inspired action only
3. When in doubt, wait
4. Take strong action based on faith & purpose
5. Make it easier by having the right attitude

A while back, after leaving my office and arriving home, I watched a (true) movie: an innocent victim (a bit like the “Baby Killer”) where a falsely accused man of rape & triple homicide/murder was being prosecuted by the State of North Carolina. At the first trial he was sentenced based on ‘weak’ eye-witness account. In the re-trial - after being sentenced to death row - he won and was freed.

What particularly impressed me was the courage, loyalty, tenacity & determination of (a) the defendant’s father (he was his adopted son!) & (b) the defendant’s attorneys.

They worked very hard together to pull things towards a positive outcome - gaining strength, clarity, and self-belief as they progressed forwards.

There was a point when the defendant was coached by his attorneys in controlling his anger/frustration & responding well when sitting in the witness box.

Morals of the story: Human qualities such as kindness can be vast & unmeasurable & this can be awesome in winning people and circumstances. Also:-

• Never give-up, as truth prevails;
• Surround yourself with the best quality of people and strategies;
• Focus on long-term success.

Your success ultimately comes down to how you operate your mind and body. Once you get used to operating your mind in this way by altering your rules and the way in which you view the world, you will gain extra inner power to over-ride danger and ride your way to new heights. Once your mind has been expanded it cannot come back to its original size: unless you force it or allow it to.

Decide now how you which to shape your future by working with the God-given faculties and capacities inherent in you.

For Success & Contentment,

Asad Khan

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Hi,

You know how most political divides are mainly measured across 2 major axes: the economic one and the social one. The range of issues and policies across theses two principal lines is viewed through either a lens of liberalism or conservatism. And in a very brief nut shell this creates the democratic framework around us here in the West, where you can have economic freedom with some social constraints, or social freedom with economic constraints. But you’ll be hard pressed to find both social and economic freedom / constraints bundled together.

However, there is a third central axis that in my view is more elementary and requires a careful integration into the political spectra: the Spiritual Axis. It may already be present to varying degrees as personal values, but it is not appreciated as an order, an entity and an identified need in its own right. So despite outward loyalties or disagreements on policy and law, inwardly there seems to be a disparity between personal conscience, morals and values which is reflected in the shifting tides of political debates and positions.

I’m reminded of parts of the American Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Ingrained into history, collective creed, constitution and general infrastructure is the idea that “all men are created equal”. Yet I cannot rid myself of the belief that ours is a fragmented, fractured and contradictory society, where the individual and communal strands are in constant tension, and the struggle between self-identification is underpinned by state legislature and practice. The basis of the existing creed stated above was, I like to believe, one of sincere determination to uphold higher values and ideals. But, tell me

• Who creates the law?
• Where do values come from?
• What is Truth and how is it adhered to?

Is it possible to say that when stripping away social scripting, political bias, selfish interests and peer pressure, there resides within each of us a pure form of a human being that inclines towards higher virtues and ethics? Take a scenario: what were to happen if suddenly we were all to fall victim to a massive earthquake, would we then begin to sense that indeed we we are all created equal and that the fleeting labels, status, privileges, comforts and positions that tend to comfort us otherwise can do little in the event of such major catastrophe?

Would, and can, any advancement in technology or other modern sophistication’s help prevent or avert such a calamity? I think not, it never was possible and it never will be. We are all subject to a common end which is to meet our Creator and answer for our time spent here on Earth.

God’s message in all ages has been singular and we are better positioned when using His guidance as the criterion for measuring right from wrong, truth from falsehood, fact from conjecture. In the chapter of Jonah (10) we are informed:

But most of them follow nothing but fancy: truly fancy can be of no avail against truth. Verily God is well aware of all that they do.

This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than God. On the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds.

The final testament completes, confirms, clarifies and corrects all former scriptures and further elucidates the one true revelation - sent by the ONE TRUE GOD in all ages.

Whist on the topic of Declaration of Independence, values and spirituality, I just want to share with you some other aspect, as I’m pressed for time at present. I’ll cover-off some other aspects with you later, particularly in relation to Ch. 10. Here’s the other part:

The “Ten Points” appear every February 12 in newspaper ads honoring Abraham Lincoln. In fact, these aphorisms are from the pen of Reverend William John Henry Boetcker (1873-1962).

* You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
* You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
* You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
* You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
* You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
* You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
* You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
* You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
* You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence.
* You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

A. Lincoln is also claimed to have written the following to his son’s school headmaster:-

“My son will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
It will take time, I know; but teach him if you can, that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found.
Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning, steer him away from envy, if you can.
Teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early that bullies are easiest to lick.
Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books…but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hillside.
In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat…
[Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.]
Teach him to be gentle with [gentle] people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon.
Teach him to listen to all men; but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad.
Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to be beware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob…and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in humankind.
This is a big order, but see what you can do. He is such a fine little fellow my son!”

Hope this helps.

For Success and Contentment,

Asad R Khan

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Yesterday I wrote a note on the need to be patient when asking and anticipating anything in one’s life and we looked at how the nature of man’s involves 2 elements as parts of his impatient base character (70:20-21):

1. fretful when evil touches him
2. niggardly when good reaches him

How many times have we seen people call upon ‘God’ for bringing about goodness in their lives, especially when they feel all the usual support structures and creature comforts around them are insufficient in helping them? I say ‘God’ in quotes because it is in these moments of deep despair that ones calls upon the real, All-seeing, All-Hearing God even thought they do not realise this. This is because normally they rely on demi-gods: things manufactured out of one’s fanciful imagination that hold no authority or power to bring good or deliver from harm. And so when the All-Merciful God delivers good to the person and with time fortunes change, the same person becomes stubborn and arrogant, rejecting the favours of his Lord, and selfishly hoards wealth / knowledge / talents / resources / charity for himself.

Now, hear what else we are told about our nature by our Fashioner in the Chapter “Children of Israel”:-

17:11 “The prayer that man should make for good, He makes for evil; for man is given to hasty (deeds).

Man in his ignorance or haste mistakes evil for good, and desires what he should not have. The wise and instructed soul has patience and does not put its own desires above the wisdom of God. He receives with contentment the favours of God and prays to be rightly guided in his desires and petitions.

If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them - such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.

Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefor with all due striving, and have Faith,- they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to God)

Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all- These as well as those: The bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).

See how We have bestowed more on some than on others; but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.

Take not with God another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution.

Remember how I said in my previous blog post not to be overly concerned with what some people have and what others don’t? Here again we are reminded in the plainest of terms similar wisdoms:

• If any wishes for the material aspects he will be granted them - as determined by his Creator
• Asking, receiving and not thanking (in its fullest meaning) is next to treason: the wicked are warned with the severest of punishments
• The Provider gives and restricts as He pleases, yet His Provision is open to all without prejudice
• Think about The Maker, The Provider, The Sustainer and thank Him- Alone - through devotion, prayer and faith with selfless service and charity
• Bear in mind the Day of Meeting your Lord when all will be laid-out in front: those who are true to Him win his Grace; those who rebel and reject His favours are humiliated
• And each person will then be to their own and there will be sufficient evidence from within (the soul) to account for or against him
• The end-game, the Hereafter, is the real deal and this is what ought to be truly sought after.

Every man’s fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of Judgement We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open.

(It will be said to him:) “Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee.”

Who receives guidance, receives it for his own benefit: who goes astray doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent an apostle (to give warning).

So if one is going to ask for such and such, would it not be better not ensure that it is for worthy reasons and moreover, show gratitude for what one has in any case whilst remaining patient and steadfast at all times?

We have now seen how God’s help is widely available as He is the All-loving and The Cherishing. Let’s confirm this love, mercy and care for us with verses from the fourth chapter (The Women):

Allah does wish to make clear to you and to show you the ordinances of those before you; and (He does wish to) turn to you (In Mercy): And Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

Allah does wish to Turn to you, but the wish of those who follow their lusts is that ye should turn away (from Him),- far, far away.

Allah does wish to lighten your (difficulties): For man was created Weak (in flesh).

Our Creator and Provider knows our inherent strengths and weaknesses and is ever-ready to assist and return an honest call. He wishes to help us, show us the way and strengthen our bond with him. But then the choice is left to us whether or not we like to play-out according to His wisdom and support or our own selfish and limited desires.

4:32 And in no wise covet those things in which God has bestowed His gifts More freely on some of you than on others: To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask God of His bounty. For God has full knowledge of all things.

This dear reader is the authentic text that is beyond doubt and corruption gifted to mankind for his guidance and welfare. Too many people forge their own understandings and have little knowledge of the Truth. Fanciful conjecture is not the means or style of Ark2Ark Training and Coaching. Rather, we aim to deliver the compelling messages of Truth and Certainty based on proofs and visible, undeniable Signs of God and His Mercy.

For Success & Contentment

Asad Khan

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Usually when we are in anticipation of something it can seem like ages before anything eventful really happens. Why? Because we all want results right now. This minute. It’s got to happen now - “I’m a Professional for God’s Sake! I know how to manage People and Processes, so surely I can manage my own affairs and achieve my goals as and when I please, right!?”

Well no, not exactly. Not as we/I/you please but rather as it has been pre-ordained by the Creator. All too often we are quoted all sorts of examples of illustrious personalities who have achieved mega success at relatively tender ages or otherwise (Trump, Gates, Obama, Brin/Page-Google, et al.) but the reality behind these success is anything but normal. So we get pumped-up into thinking that if they can do it then so can I. Well its great to have such ambitions, nothing wrong with that, and its great to pick-up on points that can be modelled and integrated into your own psyche and characteristics.

But my point here is about timing rather than the nature of ambitions and personal drive. I was reading some verses from the Holy Book and I thought that I’d like to share  some of them with you to expand on this aspect:

70:19-21: “Verily man was created very impatient -fretful when evil touches him; and niggardly when good reaches him.”

You see man, according to plan of God, was created in the best of moulds (95:4). But in order to fulfil his high destiny he was given free will to a limited extent. The wrong use of this free will makes his nature impatient. That becomes his nature by his own act, but he is spoken of as so created because of the capacities given to him in his creation.

So what happens when we don’t get what we want, when we want it or how we want it? Despair, gloom and blame. But our psychology would better serve us if we were to think of higher order, patiently persevere with the times and work diligently towards the achievement of our noble personal goals. And if and when they are fulfilled, then we must not forget the share of the less fortunate ones who need assistance and support, just as we did in times of anguish.

Look at what else your Creator informs you in Chapter 41 (The Expounded):

46. Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants.

47. To Him is referred the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): No date-fruit comes out of its sheath, nor does a female conceive (within her womb) nor bring forth the Day that ((Allah)) will propound to them the (question), “Where are the partners (ye attributed to Me?” They will say, “We do assure thee not one of us can bear witness!”

48. The (deities) they used to invoke aforetime will leave them in the lurch, and they will perceive that they have no way of escape.

49. Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair.

50. When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, “This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!” But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty.

51. When We bestow favours on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!

52. Say: “See ye if the (Revelation) is (really) from Allah, and yet do ye reject it? Who is more astray than one who is in a schism far (from any purpose)?”

53. Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?

54. Ah indeed! Are they in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! It is He that doth encompass all things!

These verses are powerful, true and revealing. If properly understood they give immense insights into the nature of our being and help shape our reality for the better.  Weak, hasty and ungrateful is the the base nature of humans, so its only when we recognise the Source of All Goodness and rely on Him utterly to fulfil our needs that we then begin to raise our ranks to fit in with the “Best of Moulds” - as we were intended in our primary purpose. Timing, and Time itself, is in His Hands alone. No need therefore for any to fret over what others have or have not. Stick to your own personal convictions and purify them, strengthen them and work towards the fulfilment of your noble goals with the assistance of Higher Order and Grace.

For Success & Contentment,

Asad Khan

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