Unsolicited Suggestions For Senior Citizens - Suggestions
When you get old, never teach anyone anything, even if you are sure you are right.
Do not try to help unless requested.
Don’t impose yourself on anyone.
Don’t try to protect your loved ones from all the misfortunes of the World. Just love them.
Don’t complain about your health, your neighbours, your retirement.
Don’t expect gratitude from children.
There are no ungrateful children, there are only stupid parents, who expect gratitude from their children.
Don’t waste your last money on anti-age treatments. It’s useless.
Better spend it on a trip.
Take care of your spouse, even if he/she becomes a wrinkled, helpless and moody old person. Don’t forget he/she was once young, good looking and cheerful, maybe he/she is the only one who really needs you right now.
Understand new technologies, obsessively follow the News, constantly study something new, do not fall behind in time.
Stationery is a big word for small things. But these small
things are very big. They are the tools of life. They help us think. They help
us work. They help us live well. Many people think they do not need them. They
think phones are enough. They think computers are enough. They are wrong. You
need a pen. You need paper. You need a place to put them. This is the heart of
a home.
The Basic Tools of the House
Let us start with the basics. What is stationery? It is a
pencil. It is a piece of paper. This is where it starts. But there is more.
Much more. There are many helpers. Think about a notebook. It is a home for
thoughts. Think about a sharpener. It makes your pencil ready. Think about a
rubber. It hides your mistakes. Mistakes are okay. You just rub them away.
Then you have the rack. The rack is for order. It holds your
things. You have a fountain pen. This is a special pen. It uses ink. Ink is
liquid. It flows. It looks beautiful. If you spill it, you use ink-remover.
This is a magic tool. It cleans the page.
Then you have the clips. Paper clips are small. But they
hold many pages. They keep ideas together. You have a stapler. It makes things
permanent. It binds the paper. You have a punch machine. It makes holes. These
holes are for the file cover. The file cover keeps things clean. The file rack
keeps the covers straight. This is how you win against a mess.
Why We Need Hard Copies Now
We live in a digital age. We have data on screens. We have
files in the cloud. But soft copies are not enough. Some things must be hard
copies. You can hold them. You can see them without a battery. Think about your
driving license. It is a card. It is physical. Think about your national
identity card. You need it in your hand. Think about your passport. You cannot
travel with just a photo of it. You need the book.
Think about your bank. You have a credit card. It is
plastic. It is a hard copy of your money. You have a checkbook. It is paper.
You write on it. You sign it. Think about your degrees. You went to school for
years. You worked hard. Now you have a paper. It has a seal. It has your name.
You want to see it. You want to frame it. These are hard copies. They are real.
They stay.
Safety and Space in the Room
Where do you put these things? You cannot leave them on the
floor. You cannot lose them under the bed. You need a safe place. You need a
shelf. This shelf is not for books only. It is for your life. It needs
partitions. It needs slots. Put your passport in one. Put your degrees in
another. This is a proper manner. It makes you feel good. You know where your
life is.
You also need a desk. You need a writing table. You need a
good chair. This is your space. It is your office at home. Every home needs
this. It is a place of focus. It is a place of calm.
Planning Your Busy Day
Life is busy. You have many things to do. You have many
places to go. You need a plan. Do not keep it in your head. Put it on paper.
Use a small notebook. Use a pad. Note down your work. Write your tasks. When
you finish, cross them out. This feels great. It shows you are winning.
Think about the kitchen. Think about food. You need a
grocery list. Write it down on a piece of paper. Take it to the shop. Do not
guess. Do not forget the milk. Stationery makes you smart. It makes you ready.
Money and Health Files
Bills are stationery too. They come in the mail. They show
your costs. You pay them. Then you keep the record. This is vital. What if the
bank says you did not pay? You show the paper. You show the record. This is for
the future.
Your health is also on paper. You have a medical record
file. This is very important. Doctors need history. They need to see old blood
tests. They need to see old x-rays. They need to see what the last doctor said.
If you have it in a file, you are safe. You are helping the doctor. You are
helping yourself.
The Habit of Proper Order
Everything has a place. This is a golden rule. I have said
it before. I say it again. Keep things where they belong. The pen goes in the
cup. The paper goes in the drawer. The file goes in the rack. This is a habit.
It is a good habit. It stops the stress. It saves you time. You do not hunt for
a pen. You just reach and find it.
The Beauty of Handwriting
Screens are fast. Screens are easy. But screens are boring.
Writing is an art. Many people love to write. They love the feel of the pen.
They love the sound of the paper. We use emails to talk. We use apps to chat.
But a letter is different. A letter has a soul.
A greeting card is a treasure. You pick it out. You write a
message. You send it. The person who gets it feels special. They see your
writing. They know you spent time. This is the beauty of stationery. It
connects hearts.
History and Ancestors Notes
Time moves on. We grow old. But paper stays. After many
years, you look at old documents. You see your old work. You see your old
letters. This is your history. It is the story of your family.
Sometimes we want to know about the past. We want to know
about our grandfathers. We find their notes. We see their signatures. It is
like they are still here. This is why we keep hard copies. We keep the story
alive for the kids.
A World That Still Writes Always
Is stationery old? No. Look at the shops. Look at the malls.
Stationery is a top item. It is one of the most selling things. People
everywhere buy it. They buy fancy pens. They buy cute notebooks. They buy
colorful folders. The world still loves paper. The world still loves writing.
Choosing the Right Home Tools
Not all pens are the same. Some pens use balls. Some pens
use felt. Some pens use nibs. You should find the one you like. A good pen
makes you want to write. A bad pen makes your hand hurt. Try many. Find your
favorite.
Paper has weight too. Some paper is thin. Some paper is
thick. Thick paper feels rich. It does not let ink through. Thin paper is good
for quick notes. Having both is smart.
The Joy of Many Colors
Stationery is not just black and white. It has many colors.
You can use blue ink. You can use red ink for things that are vital. You can
use green for things that are done. Highlighters are great too. They make words
pop. They help your eyes find the main point.
Kids and Home Stationery
Children need stationery too. It helps them learn. It helps
them draw. When a child has a desk, they feel big. They feel like they have a
job. This job is to learn. Give them pencils. Give them bright paper. Watch
them create. It is a gift for their mind.
Tape and Glue for Projects
Sometimes you need to fix things. You need sticky tape. You
need glue. These are stationery too. They mend torn pages. They put photos in
books. Every home drawer needs a roll of tape. It is a small helper. It does a
big job. It keeps things together when they break.
The Use of Envelopes
When you write a letter, you need a coat for it. This coat
is an envelope. It keeps the letter clean. It keeps it private. You write the
name. You write the address. You lick the stamp. You put it in the mail. This
is a journey. It is a slow way to talk. Slow is good. Slow is thoughtful.
Measuring with Rules
A ruler is a straight friend. It helps you draw lines. It
helps you measure space. Do you have room for a new shelf? Check it with a
ruler. Do you want to cut paper straight? Use the ruler as a guide. It is a
tool for truth. It shows you the real size of things.
Sticky Notes for Reminders
Some notes are for now. You put them on the fridge. You put
them on the door. These are sticky notes. They have a bit of glue. They are
bright yellow or pink. They say "Buy eggs" or "Call Mom."
They catch your eye. They don't let you forget. They are small but very loud.
The Desktop Calendar
Time needs a map. This map is a calendar. You keep it on
your desk. You see the whole month. You see the days fly by. You mark
birthdays. You mark holidays. It is a physical way to see time. It is better
than a phone screen. You see it every time you sit down.
Keeping Your Desk Clean
A messy desk is a hard place to work. Use your stationery to
fix it. Use a pen pot. Use a paper tray. Clear the space. When the desk is
clear, you can think. You can dream. You can plan your next big move.
Final Thoughts on Home Writing
Your house needs a place for this. It needs a study. All
family members can use it. The kids can study. The adults can work. It is a
room for the mind.
Make writing a habit. It is a good way to live. Your words
are important. They can be advice. They can be memories. They can be help for
others. Stationery is not just stuff. It is how we stay human in a digital
world. Writing is power. Paper is proof.
Keep your pens ready. Keep your paper close. Your home is
better with them. Your life is better with them. Start your collection today.
Silence is power. We talk too much. We listen too little.
Most people just wait for their turn to speak. They do not hear. They just
pause. This is a big mistake. Good speaking is a great skill. It is a big
quality. But good listening is bigger. It is the real secret. A good speaker
must first listen. If he does not listen, he cannot talk. He will fail. He will
miss the point. Listening gives us wisdom. It gives us deep knowledge. It gives
us life experience. This happens in an indirect way. It is a quiet teacher. It
is a hidden path to success. It is said that you speak what you have already
heard but you learn some thing new when you listen.
We listen every day. It happens at home. It happens in the
kitchen. It happens in the bedroom. We listen in classrooms. Teachers talk.
Students hear. We listen in busy offices. We listen in schools. We listen in
social groups. One person speaks. Many people listen. This is the math of life.
Listening happens more often than talking. It is constant. It is the glue of
society. It is the bridge between hearts.
The Power of Being Quiet
Why do we have two ears? We have only one mouth. This is a
hint. Nature wants us to listen more. Listening is an art. It is not just
hearing noise. Hearing is physical. Listening is mental. It is an act of the
will. You choose to listen. You decide to pay attention. This choice changes
your life. It makes you popular. People love a good listener. They feel valued.
They feel important.
Most people are lonely. They want to be heard. They want to
share their stories. When you listen, you give a gift. It is a free gift. But
it is very precious. It costs nothing but time. Time is the most valuable thing
we have. Giving time is giving love. Listening is a form of love. It is a form
of respect.
How to Listen Better
Good listening is focused. It is careful. Do not think about
your reply. Forget what you will say next. Clear your mind. Just hear the
words. If you plan your answer, you are not listening. You are just waiting.
This is a common trap. You must stop it. You must understand the speaker. You
must hear their heart. You must hear their tone. Look at these factors. They
will help you. They will make you a pro. They will make you a master of
communication.
The Mindset of a Listener
You must be open. Do not judge too fast. If you judge, you
close your ears. You stop learning. Keep an open mind. Every person knows
something you do not. Every person is a book. You just need to read them.
Listening is reading with your ears. It is a deep skill. It takes practice. It
takes patience.
Make Eye Contact
Eyes are windows. Look at the person. Look directly at them.
This shows focus. It shows respect. It shows you care. It is a clear signal. If
you look away, you look bored. Even if you hear, you seem distracted. You seem
rude. The speaker will feel bad. They will stop talking. They will lose their
flow. Do not disturb them. Keep your eyes on them. It is simple. It is
powerful. It is the first step.
Focus your gaze. Do not stare too hard. That is scary. Just
look naturally. Look at their eyes. Look at their face. This builds a
connection. It creates a bond. It says "I am here with you." It says
"Your words matter." This is how you win friends. This is how you
build trust.
In a world of phones, this is rare. People look at screens.
They do not look at faces. Be different. Put the phone down. Look at the human.
The human is more important than the screen. The screen can wait. The person
cannot. This is the secret of modern charisma.
Use Facial Expressions
Your face talks. It tells a story. Use it. Nod your head.
Tilt your head. Smile a little. These are responses. They show you are there.
They show you are awake. They show you get the meaning. You are grasping the
point. You are interested. If your face is like a stone, the speaker gets
scared. They think you are a wall. Be a human. Show emotion. Show engagement.
It is a silent dialogue. It is a dance of the mind.
If the speaker is sad, look sad. If the speaker is happy,
smile. This is called mirroring. It makes the speaker feel safe. It makes them
feel understood. It is a natural way to connect. Your face is a tool. Use it
well. Do not overdo it. Be real. Be honest. Authenticity is key.
Ask Great Questions
Listening is not just being quiet. It is being active. This
is critical listening. Ask questions. Get all the facts. Dig deeper. When you
ask, you drive the car. You lead the talk. It shows you want to know more. It
shows you seek truth. It shows you value the speaker. This is a very effective
strategy. It builds trust. It clears the fog. It makes the conversation rich.
Do not be afraid. Ask the "why." Ask the "how."
Questions show intelligence. They show you are thinking.
They show you are following the logic. A good question can change a life. It
can open a new door. It can solve a big problem. Be a seeker of answers. Be a
curious mind. Curiosity is the fuel of listening.
Do Not Interrupt
Wait your turn. This is hard. We want to jump in. We want to
fix things. But stop. Do not interrupt. Let them finish. Let them reach the end
of the thought. This gives them comfort. It gives them peace. If you cut them
off, you kill the vibe. You steal their moment. Wait. Breathe. Then speak. Then
ask. It is a sign of a high-class person. It is polite. It is kind.
Interrupting is like stealing. You steal the speaker's
breath. You steal their idea. It shows you think you are more important. It
shows pride. Avoid it. Be humble. Silence is a sign of strength. Let the
silence hang for a second. It gives weight to the words.
Paraphrase the Words
Repeat the point. Use your own words. Say, "So you
mean..." This proves you were there. You cannot repeat if you did not
hear. It is the ultimate proof. It clears up mistakes. It aligns both minds. It
makes the speaker feel seen. They feel understood. This is a magical tool. Use
it often. Use it well.
This prevents arguments. Most fights are about
misunderstandings. Paraphrasing stops this. It confirms the truth. It builds a
solid ground. It shows you are a partner in the talk. You are not just a target
for words. You are a participant.
Different Types of Listening
Listening has levels. It is not always the same. You must
know which one to use. You must know the timing.
Careful Listening
This is the base. It uses the steps
above. It is basic. It is vital. Without this, you are lost. You are just a
noise in the room. Careful listening is for facts. It is for instructions. It
is for learning. It requires focus. It requires energy. Do not be lazy. Pay
attention to the details. The details are where the truth lives.
Sympathetic Listening
You must be careful. But you must
also care. Sometimes logic is not enough. Sometimes people are sad. They need a
friend. They need a heart. Listen with sympathy. This helps the speaker. It
relaxes them. It opens doors. You can give suggestions. You can give options.
This attitude works. It heals.
Sympathy is about feeling for
someone. You see their pain. You want to help. This is common in families. It
is common among friends. It is a soft way to listen. It provides a shoulder to
lean on.
Empathetic Listening
This is the deepest level. Empathy
is a gift. Put yourself in their shoes. Feel what they feel. See their world.
This is very beneficial. If you do not do this, you might give bad advice. You
might say the wrong thing. That irritates people. It hurts them. Understand the
feeling first. Then suggest a remedy. It works better. It is human.
Empathy is about feeling with
someone. You enter their heart. You stay there. You do not judge. You just
experience. This is the highest form of the art. It creates deep bonds. It
creates lifelong loyalty. It is the mark of a great leader.
Adapt to the Situation
Be smart. Every talk is different. Some talks are casual.
They are light. They are just for fun. Do not be too serious then. Do not be
too heavy. If you are too deep for a joke, it hurts the vibe. Be intelligent.
Read the room. Choose your style. A good listener is a chameleon. They change.
They adapt. They fit in.
If someone is joking, laugh. If someone is venting, stay
quiet. If someone is teaching, take notes. If someone is dreaming, encourage
them. Your response must match their need. This is social intelligence. This is
the path to power.
Why Listening Matters in Business
In business, listening is money. It is profit. If you listen
to your customer, you know what they want. If you know what they want, you can
sell it. If you do not listen, you guess. Guessing is expensive. Guessing leads
to failure.
Listen to your team. They have ideas. They see things you do
not. A boss who listens is a boss who wins. A boss who only talks is a boss who
loses. Innovation comes from listening. It comes from hearing the small voices.
It comes from noticing the gaps.
Why Listening Matters in Love
In love, listening is survival. Relationships die when
listening stops. When couples stop hearing each other, they grow apart. They
become strangers. They live in the same house but different worlds.
Listen to your partner. Hear what they are not saying. Hear
the silence. Hear the sigh. This shows you are still in love. It shows you
still care. Small moments of listening build a big life together. Do not take
it for granted. Do not be too busy. Love is listening.
The Science of Sound
Sound hits the ear. The brain reads it. But the heart feels
it. This is a complex process. It is a miracle. We are built to connect. We are
built to share. Use your body for its purpose. Use your ears for their design.
In a loud world, silence is a luxury. Listening is a way to
find that silence. It is a way to find peace. It is a way to slow down. Our
world is too fast. We hurry everything. We hurry our meals. We hurry our walks.
We hurry our talks. Stop the hurry. Just listen.
The Benefits of Being a Listener
What do you get? You get friends. You get trust. You get
knowledge. You get power. You get a calm mind. You get a bigger world. You see
more. You feel more. You live more.
Listeners are observers. Observers see the truth. Speakers
often miss the truth because they are too busy performing. They want to be
seen. They want to be liked. The listener is already ahead. The listener
already knows.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not be a "fake" listener. Do not nod while
thinking about lunch. People can tell. They see the empty look in your eyes. It
is an insult. It is better to say "I cannot listen right now." That
is honest. That is respectful.
Do not be a "selector." Do not only listen to what
you like. Listen to everything. Even the things that challenge you. Even the
things that make you angry. This is how you grow. This is how you change.
Do not be a "helper" too soon. People do not
always want a solution. Sometimes they just want a witness. They want someone
to see their struggle. Hold your advice. Wait for the invitation. Let them ask
for help.
Exercises for Better Listening
You can train your ears. You can train your brain.
Sit in
a park. Listen for five sounds. Identify them.
Talk
to a stranger. Ask three questions. Do not talk about yourself.
Listen
to music without doing anything else. Just listen to the notes.
Watch
a movie. Pay attention to the background sounds.
Practice
silence. Be quiet for ten minutes a day.
These steps work. They build the muscle. They make you
sharp. They make you ready.
Conclusion
Listening makes us better. It makes society better. It
builds bridges. It stops wars. It starts love. Be an artist. Be a listener. The
world needs your ears more than your mouth. Be the one who hears. Be the one
who understands. Be the one who cares.
In the end, we will not remember the words we said. We will
remember the people who listened. We will remember the feeling of being
understood. Give that feeling to others. It is the best thing you can do. It is
the art of life. It is the art of listening.
The real beauty is a relative term. It can be internal or external. Someone says beauty is found in the eyes of the viewer, not in any object or person. Some people define beauty as a typical beauty found in some physical features like long height or white compaction or wide bright eyes and so on and so forth. In fact, all these things are not in the control of people; these are God-gifted. The real credit does not go to the people having these qualities. It is also true that it depends upon those people to present these qualities in a reasonable or unreasonable way. It defines the personality of the people. Another reality is that these are not permanent, in most of the cases. Time plays its vital role in it. A person may have a wonderful appearance at a time but after 10 or 20 years, the scenario can be totally changed. Very well said: “Personal beauty fades but the beauty of mind endures forever.”
Quality
Some qualities are inner ones like; softness or hardness, kindness or cheapness, patience or impatience, confidence or shyness, brightness or dullness, humility or proudness and innocence or cunning. These qualities are usually permanent or longer lasting. It was found that the physical qualities are very attractive and we cannot ignore them. Sometimes we cannot compromise on them. But if these are not coinciding with good inner qualities, these become dull and less bright with the passage of time. Then, the relations based on these physical qualities become awful or sometimes end soon after.
It is observed that we take a lot of care of our physical beauty by using different things like; cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, jewelry, expensive dresses and shoes etc. We invest a lot of our money, effort and time on these things. Our media encourages this trend by presenting advertisements, by presenting good looking people in dramas and shows. So, we have to give importance to all these things. It is a fact that all these things are also important and we cannot ignore them. Allah also says: “Allah is beautiful and He likes beauty.” But Allah also loves those who are good-hearted and pious.
Types
We live in this world where we have to deal with different issues and problems. We cannot leave many things; those are prevailing in our surroundings. So, we have to learn so much at the same time. How to deal with good or bad situations. Some people have to face extreme poverty, others have very comfortable lives. Both conditions have different demands on a person, male or female. Some people are born in very renowned families and others in notorious ones. Demands change accordingly on the people. Different qualities must be required for different situations, to make themselves successful in life and to present their better image.
Balanced Approach
For a successful life, many things are crucial. A good personality image is of immense importance. It will be the combination of a balanced one. We should give importance to our image that is the combination of our out-look and our inner-self. We must take care of our dress, our personal hygiene, our language, our body posture with our inner goodness. It includes, kind- heartedness, boldness, confidence, positive attitude towards people and events. True self- awareness is also very helpful in making our relations, more realistic and better. This awareness will give a better opportunity to adjust in our society with more confidence and happiness. If this combination is good, then we will have a more attractive and longer-lasting better image. It can help us to improve our society and the condition of our world.
Have A Proper Place For Everything, And It Is Good To Keep Everything In
Its Proper Place
The Mystery of the Missing Keys
Life is fast. Life is messy. We all have too much stuff. Our
homes are full. Our bags are full. Even our minds are full. But where is that
one thing you need right now? You know the feeling. You are running late for
work. You cannot find your car keys. You look on the kitchen table. They are
not there. You look under the couch cushions. You find a coin and some crumbs.
No keys. You check your pockets. You start to sweat. You start to yell. This is
stress. This is total chaos. It does not have to be this way. There is an old
rule. It is a simple rule. Have a proper place for everything. Keep everything
in its proper place. This sounds easy. It is harder than it looks. But it
changes your life. It saves your time. It saves your sanity.
The Dark Night Test
Think about a dark night. The wind is blowing hard. Rain
hits the glass. Suddenly, the power goes out. The room is black. You cannot see
your hand. You need a candle. You stumble over a chair. You trip over a rug.
You reach for a drawer. Is it there? No. You check the top of the shelf. No.
You feel lost in your own house. This is a bad feeling. Now imagine a different
person. They are in the same dark room. They do not panic. They do not run
around. They walk straight to a cupboard. They reach in. They grab a thick
candle. They grab a box of matches. One strike. Light fills the room. Why was
it easy for them? Because those items have a home. They always sit in that
home. Even in the dark, you know where home is. This is the power of order. It
turns a crisis into a small task. It makes you the master of your space.
Defining Your Space
We must define our spaces clearly. Every object needs a
boundary. A knife belongs in a kitchen drawer. It does not belong on a
nightstand. A pair of scissors belongs in a craft box or a desk. It does not
belong on the floor of the garage. A screwdriver stays in the tool chest. It
should not be in the bathroom cabinet. This sounds like common sense. Yet, we
fail at it every day. We drop mail on the dining table. We toss shoes in the
hallway. We leave passports in random drawers. Then, when we need to fly, we
panic. We search for hours. we cry. This is a waste of life. Time is the only
thing we cannot get back. When you define a spot, you give that object an
identity. You say "this is where you live." When an object has a
home, it is never lost. It is just "out." And if it is out, it can be
put back.
The Paper Trail
Think about your most important things. Think about your
documents. Your bank papers. Your birth certificate. Your house deed. These are
the pillars of your life. If you lose them, you lose peace. They need a safe.
Or they need a sturdy folder. This folder must stay in one spot. It never moves
unless you use it. When you finish reading, it goes back. Do not leave it on
the bed. Do not leave it in a bag. Put it home. The same goes for your medical
kit. You do not need a bandage every day. You do not need aspirin every hour.
But when you get a cut, you need it fast. You do not want to hunt for a
band-aid while bleeding. You want to reach out and find it. You want to know
that the alcohol rub is on the second shelf. This knowledge is comfort. It is
safety.
Professional Precision
This rule is for everyone. It is for the doctor. Imagine a
surgeon in a busy room. They need a scalpel. They do not look around the room
for it. They do not ask "where did I put that?" It is exactly where
it should be. It is for the mechanic. They need a specific wrench to fix a car.
They reach for the tool rack. It is there. It is for the teacher. It is for the
shopkeeper. If a shop is messy, customers leave. They cannot find what they
want to buy. If a shop is neat, people buy more. Order creates trust. Order
creates beauty. It is a rule of thumb for a beautiful life. It makes the world
look clean. It makes your heart feel light. When you see a tidy desk, you feel
ready to work. When you see a tidy kitchen, you feel ready to cook.
The Digital Mess
What about your digital life? We live on screens now. Our
computers are full of files. We have "Document1" and "New Folder
2" and "Final_Final_v3" everywhere on the desktop. This is
digital clutter. It slows down your computer. It slows down your work. It makes
you tired before you start. Use a file manager. Create folders with clear
names. Put your work files in a work folder. Put your family photos in a photo
folder. Do not mix them. When you need a file from three years ago, you should
find it in seconds. This is how you win at life. You stay ahead of the mess.
You do not let the data drown you. Sort your emails. Delete the trash. Keep the
inbox clean. A clean screen leads to a clean mind.
The Hook Habit
Think of your keys again. This is the biggest struggle for
most people. We all lose keys. Here is the fix. Buy a hook. Put it by the door.
Make it a law in your house. The keys live on the hook. They never go on the
counter. They never stay in a coat pocket. They never go on the sofa arm. If
they are not in your hand or in the ignition of the car, they are on the hook.
It takes three seconds to hang them up. It takes thirty minutes to find them if
they are lost. Which one do you choose? Save your time. Use the hook. It is a
small win that leads to a big change. You will leave the house with a smile
instead of a scowl.
A Legacy of Order
This habit is a legacy. I learned this from my father. He
was a man of order. He learned it from his father. It is a gift passed down
through many years. When I put my things away, I remember them. I keep their
memory alive. I keep their wisdom close. Knowledge is meant to share. Telling
others about order does not hurt you. It helps everyone. It makes your
community better. It makes your family stronger. Teach your children now. Do
not wait until they are grown. If they learn to put toys away, they will learn
to manage a business later. If they can find their homework, they can find
success. Small habits build big futures. A child who knows where their shoes
are is a confident child.
Keeping Memories Safe
What about the old things? We have memories. We have old
school records. We have medals from childhood. We have paper photos from long
ago. Young people today love digital things. They forget the feel of paper. But
those old photos are precious. They should be in an album. They should be on a
specific shelf. One day, you will want to look back. You will want to see your
younger self. You will want to remember a friend who moved away. If those
photos are in a pile in the damp attic, they might rot. They might get lost. If
they have a proper place, they are safe. They are ready for you. They are a
bridge to your past.
The Logic of the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also the place
where chaos grows. Spices are everywhere. Flour spills. Spoons vanish. Why?
Because we do not return things. We use the salt and leave it by the stove. We
use the milk and leave it on the counter. This is how bacteria grows. This is
how tempers flare. Give every jar a spot. Label the shelves. When you cook, you
should be like a dancer. You reach for the pepper without looking. You grab the
pan because you know it is in the bottom cupboard. This makes cooking a joy. It
is no longer a chore. It is a craft. A clean kitchen is a healthy kitchen.
The Garage and the Garden
Look at the garage. For many, it is a graveyard for junk.
Old boxes. Broken bikes. Half-empty paint cans. This is a waste of space. A
garage should hold a car. Or it should be a workshop. Hang the rakes on the
wall. Put the nails in jars. Sweep the floor. When the garden needs water, you
should know where the hose is. When a bulb breaks, the new ones should be in a
box marked "Light Bulbs." Do not search. Do not wonder. Know. Knowing
is power. Knowing where the lawnmower key is saves a whole Sunday afternoon.
The Bathroom Balance
Even the bathroom needs this rule. Toothbrushes need a
holder. Towels need a rack. Soap needs a dish. When you are sleepy in the
morning, you do not want to hunt for toothpaste. You want your hand to find it
automatically. This allows your brain to wake up slowly. It prevents accidents.
It keeps the room smelling fresh. Put the lid back on the jar. Put the cap back
on the tube. These small acts are signs of respect. Respect for your things.
Respect for your space. Respect for the people who live with you.
Wardrobe Wisdom
Your clothes are your image. If they are in a pile, they get
wrinkled. If they are on the floor, they get dirty. Hang them up. Fold them
neatly. Put socks in a drawer. Put hats on a shelf. When you wake up, you can
see your choices. You can dress fast. You look sharp. You feel sharp. A messy
closet leads to a "I have nothing to wear" feeling. A tidy closet
shows you exactly what you have. It stops you from buying things you do not
need. It saves you money.
The Mental Clear
When your house is tidy, your mind follows. Physical clutter
is mental clutter. If you see a pile of laundry, your brain thinks "I have
work to do." If you see a clean table, your brain thinks "I can
rest." Order gives you the gift of focus. You can sit down and read a
book. You can talk to your spouse. You can play with your dog. You are not
thinking about the mess in the corner. You are present in the moment. This is
the greatest benefit of all. Peace of mind is priceless.
The Habit of Return
The secret is the "Return." It is not enough to
find a place. You must use the place. When you are done with a tool, put it
back. Not later. Not tomorrow. Now. It takes ten seconds now. It takes ten
minutes later. Be kind to your future self. Your future self will be tired.
Your future self will be in a hurry. Help that person by putting the item back
where it belongs today. This is the golden rule of organization. The task is
not finished until the tool is home.
In a Nutshell
In the end, this simple sentence is a shield. "Have a
proper place for everything and keep everything in its proper place." It
protects you from stress. It protects you from being late. It protects you from
losing what matters most. It organizes your life. It makes you a person who is
in control of their world. You will never get lost in your own life. You will
know where you stand. You will know where your treasures are. It is good for
your soul. It is good for your home. It is a path to a better way of living.
Start today. Pick one small drawer. Clean it. Give everything inside a home.
Feel the relief. Then do another. Soon, your whole life will shine.
Study – Iqra – Read! To Seek Knowledge, Educate Yourself, Be Educated, this was the first verse revealed on our Holy Prophet May Peace Be Upon Him. That was the start of civilization. When you read you get knowledge. From knowledge, you can create things to serve mankind. Application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading or investigation. A good study can increase your confidence. It reduces the level of anxiety. When you are a learned person you get the ability to share your knowledge with others. And sharing your knowledge with others will never decrease your knowledge rather it increases your knowledge. You can also learn to speak with a person with his level of understanding. By studying you actually observe things, analyze them in your brain, try to understand what you have studied, and then you are ready to share it with others.
Never Stop Learning
Although you never stop learning and studying. The best age is when a child starts going to school. Things which a child studies in the school at a small age fixes in his mind forever. You are at your best to express yourself in a better manner. The more you study the more knowledgeable you become. The best book to study and read is the Quran. It has covered everything in this universe which comes in our life. The more we study the Quran the more knowledge we gain.
Manual
We also learn many things by studying the manuals of items besides us. Manual of a computer how to use it. Manual of television, manual of maintenance of a car. There are millions of things you can study. One thing which I have learned in my life is the more I study the more knowledgeable I become. I feel proud that I know that thing. Still, now I feel that I am an illiterate person. It’s not that I am trying to say that I am a learned person but I mean that there are so many things one must learn.
Go To Class Well Prepared
In school or college if a student reads the material beforehand and goes to the class well prepared then he grasps the knowledge with better understanding. Sometimes we start getting annoyed that a person you are expressing yourself to is totally unaware of what you are trying to share, this is the point whether you tell them in an easy way or you simply leave them and look for some learned people to share what you have gained. The best thing is that you make a timetable for the day to spend and keep a few minutes to study something new. A newspaper is among them.
Studying Never Ends
Studying never ends. Then I read many quotes. To acquire knowledge one must study. Learn to discover and discover to learn. Learning builds character. But it does not mean to become arrogant and start fighting with those who are less educated. It is not meant to remain ignorant. Learning makes you a social person and you feel good when you interact with others to share knowledge. It’s not the end of the world. If you have wasted time, forget it and start reading now. Knowledge is not how deep the words are and how difficult the words are, but knowledge is how important and simple the words are.
We have another article on Iqra which you might like to read. Please click here to read
Best Cleanliness The Most Important Need Of The Day Forever
Reason Of Dirtiness
Every now and then we are reading and hearing and watching that
especially in the rainy season Karachi is hit at the most rather than from
bad to worst. Bad sewerage system. Now let us see how it has happened. My
childhood was spent in Karachi. At that time it was a clean and beautiful
city. Hill-park was a nice place to go to for entertainment and even
Clifton and Karachi Zoo were good places to visit. People were having
civic sense at that time. Our waste used to go into the dust bin.
Secondly, at that time we had never ever heard of or seen plastic shopper
bags. At that time there used to be paper bags. Paper, if thrown on the
ground, dissolves in water and is gone by the water. Then the era of
plastic came along with our arrogant ignorances. We became arrogant and
did not bother about the civic sense. We knew that the sweeper there will
clean those throw-away wastes as he was being paid for the job. One person
threw garbage and then it was followed by others, and then it became our
national duty. We started throwing the wrappers and other small things on
the roads becoming totally ignorant about what it will be causing.
Throwing wastes in the parks knowing that the sweeper will clean it.
Unfortunately, we forget that when the wind took that plastic bag and
covered the mouth of the drain and water could not pass through that
blocked drain. Water was blocked and started piling up and making home to
insects and germs and creating filth. It made the environment bad and
smelly. Hygiene was getting from bad to worse and causing health issues.
Sanitation started getting bad. I being influential, I felt humiliated
rather than getting ashamed when someone told me not to spread waste. When
the waste started piling up it became the habitat for germs.
Follow The Good Rules
Due to the accumulation and standing of water, germs are growing in it
and it is also starting to stink. It is also creating diseases.
Solution. We must behave, we must take small steps like putting the waste
in the dust bin. If someone else has thrown something, request that person
politely to pick that up or you should pick up that rubbish and put it in
the dust bin. We know that when we are in Europe or in Dubai or the USA,
we are not allowed to throw any rubbish on the roads or in public places.
Cleanliness is the main theme of not only our religion but of every
religion.
Do Not Blame Government
Why we blame the government? It is written, do not spread litter. Why we
ignore it? How come we become so many obedient and followers of the rules
when we are in other countries. If we become good in other countries then
why not in our own homeland. If I change myself my home will be nice and
my country will be beautiful. In my opinion, a civics course should be
introduced in our education system. Which must be taught from class one to
the last class we attend whether it is matric or intermediate or bachelors
or postgraduates or even Ph D. it must be taught just for five minutes a
day but every day. As we say prayers five times a day we should be taught
and learned these civic values. It is important and good. Think and act
fast.
When you get old, never teach anyone anything, even if you are sure you are right.
