Hope – The Border of a Mind

hope that doesn’t disappoint

May 16, 2024December 14, 2024 by Ajmal

Let’s face it, disappointment can feel like a punch in the gut. We set our hearts on something, a dream job, a supportive friend, and then – poof! It crumbles. It’s enough to make you want to curl up and avoid hoping for anything ever again. But here’s the thing – life without hope is like a grey, cloudy day, with no sunshine to peek through. We all need a little light to guide us, a reason to keep moving forward. Maybe the problem is where we’re placing our hope. Sometimes, we pin it on external things, like people or situations. And as much as we’d like them to be rock-solid, life has a way of throwing curveballs. What if, instead, we anchored our hope in something bigger, something that can’t be swayed by the winds of change? Imagine hope as a giant oak tree, its roots digging deep into the earth, its branches reaching towards the sky. No matter how strong the storm, the tree remains standing, a symbol of unwavering strength. Think of it like a lighthouse on a rocky coast. Ships can get tossed around by the waves, but they can always rely on the lighthouse to guide them safely home. Placing our hope in a higher power, whatever that means to you, doesn’t mean ignoring disappointment. It’s about having a foundation that can hold us steady even when things don’t go according to plan. It doesn’t mean we stop striving or dreaming. It just means we do it with a sense of trust, knowing that even in the face of setbacks, there’s a light guiding us, a force working for our good, even when we can’t see it all clearly. Always have in mind that when disappointment knocks you down, take a deep breath and look for that unseen lighthouse. Remember, true hope doesn’t disappoint, it empowers us to keep sailing, even on the roughest seas.

when doors close, new paths open: trusting the signs

May 15, 2024December 14, 2024 by Ajmal

Have you ever felt stuck in a situation, like you’re pushing on a door that stubbornly refuses to budge? Maybe it’s a relationship, a job, or even a dream you have, that just doesn’t seem to be panning out. It’s frustrating, right? We pour our energy in, hoping things will change, but sometimes, the only change that comes is the feeling of exhaustion. Here’s the thing – sometimes, those closed doors are actually signs from a higher power, a gentle nudge in a different direction. It can be hard to see in the moment, like trying to decipher a cryptic message. But maybe, just maybe, there’s a reason things aren’t working out the way we planned. Think of it like hiking in the mountains. You reach a fork in the path, and the map you have seems outdated. One path looks familiar, well-trodden, but the other is overgrown and shrouded in mist. It’s tempting to stick to the known way, even if it feels like a dead end. But what if the hidden path, with all its unknowns, leads to a breathtaking vista we never could have imagined? Trusting the signs, even the confusing ones, can be scary. But sometimes, the most beautiful journeys begin with a little detour. Here’s the truth – we can’t always understand the grand plan, the life path particularly woven for us in the most elaborate detail. But we can trust the Weaver, the one who sees the whole picture. Letting go of something that isn’t working, even if it hurts, can be an act of faith. It’s a way of saying, “I trust that something better is out there, even if I can’t see it yet.” And guess what? The universe, or a higher power, whatever you believe in, rarely disappoints those who trust. The pain of letting go might linger for a while, but with time and a little faith, those broken pieces can heal, and a new path, filled with possibility, can unfold. When you feel stuck, take a deep breath and listen to the whispers of your intuition. Maybe that closed door is a sign, a gentle nudge towards a brighter future waiting just beyond the bend.

brighter skies are ahead

May 6, 2024January 27, 2025 by Ajmal

Let’s face it, life can feel like a dark tunnel sometimes. You keep pushing forward, but the walls seem to close in, and it’s hard to see any light at the end. But here’s the thing: tunnels do have ends. There is always light waiting for you on the other side. Ponder of hope like a tiny seed. It might seem insignificant, especially when you’re buried under a pile of worries. But that seed, if nurtured with a little belief, has the potential to blossom into something incredible. It can push through the cracks, reach for the sun, and surprise you with vibrant flowers. Believing in a higher power, the Almighty as you call it, is like giving that seed the perfect growing conditions. It’s the sunshine that warms its leaves, the rain that nourishes its roots, the trust that allows it to unfurl its petals. When you have faith, you’re essentially saying, ” I trust that you have something amazing in store for me, even if I can’t see it yet.” And guess what? Almighty tends to reward that trust. It might not happen overnight, but slowly, things will start to shift. Opportunities you never knew existed will appear. Challenges you thought were insurmountable will find resolutions. It’s like the clouds parting after a storm, revealing a breathtaking view you couldn’t have imagined while you were huddled under cover. Remember, when you feel lost in the darkness, remember the seed. Hold onto that flicker of hope, nurture it with belief, and trust that there’s a whole world of sunshine waiting for you on the other side. Just keep pushing forward, and you’ll be amazed by what you find.

age’s quiet wisdom

November 25, 2023November 22, 2023 by Ajmal

In the soft light of dawn, as the world awakens from its slumber, so too does the human soul stir with a poignant realization. Each morning, as we confront the mirror, it reflects not just our physical form but a deeper, more profound truth. The act of cleansing our face, the routine of brushing our teeth, these are not mere habits; they are silent sermons on the fragility of our human existence.

Behold, the thin veil of skin that encases us, how delicate and vulnerable it is! This body of ours, a marvel of creation, is yet so susceptible to the wear and tear of time. Our need for sustenance, our battle against sleeplessness, hunger, and thirst – these are not mere physiological demands. They are, in essence, subtle reminders of our inherent weakness, signs from the Divine that our earthly existence is but temporary.

As we age, each wrinkle that etches itself onto our face is like a gentle whisper from the Almighty, reminding us of the fleeting nature of worldly life. The whitening of hair, the aging of hands – these are not mere signs of physical decline but are profound symbols of the inexorable passage of time, a time that draws us closer to our return from this temporal world.

But amidst this temporal decay, there lies an immutable truth – the soul does not age. While our bodies are bound to the relentless march of time, our souls remain untouched, timeless in their essence. The beauty and vigor of youth may fade, but the radiance of the soul only intensifies with the wisdom and experience that comes with age.

In this transient world, where outward appearances often hold sway, aging serves as a potent reminder of the impermanence of physical beauty. It invites us to look beyond the superficial, to recognize the enduring beauty of the soul that outlasts the decaying shell of the body.

Thus, as we greet each day, let us embrace our vulnerabilities, not as signs of weakness but as divine messages guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our true purpose. Let us cherish the aging process, not as a decline but as a journey towards spiritual maturity, a journey that brings us closer to the divine.

subtle unfoldings

August 12, 2022August 8, 2022 by Ajmal

a photograph of beautiful rose petals that I captured from Tsaghkadzor in Northern Yerevan, Armenia

If you’re going to commit your efforts to anything, it could be a good idea to focus on something that already works. To people who already love you, to promising things, and to places that make you feel more alive. You may have to stop trying to fit in places where you no longer belong. You may have to abandon your efforts to become someone who is more widely accepted by the public but more foreign to your own heart. Life communicates with us in the most subtle and minute ways. In the little clicks, delightful coincidences, and unexpected unfoldings of the most routine things. These signals are striving to direct us down the many pathways that have been structured for us. Perhaps you should learn to believe what passes you by before you can trust what settles seamlessly in front of you. Perhaps you should trust what isn’t working because it will ultimately try to point you in the direction of what will. On the other side, your life awaits you. Presumably, my most recent posts have all been on hope and perseverance. God bless you. It is an honor to have your time and attention on the themes. : )

“Roses and thorns are parts of the same plant. Somehow though, some people are concerned mainly about the roses. The rose is not on the plant for more than a week, but the thorns are there forever. Roses are teaching that the beauty of life will bloom, once you have taught yourself the lessons given by living with the thorns.”
― Grigoris Deoudis

lamp of hope

August 11, 2022August 8, 2022 by Ajmal

Life is, to put it mildly, uncertain. It is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind gift to everyone of us. We don’t give ourselves enough credit for enduring adversity and conquering challenging situations. Even at the worst of circumstances, given enough time to heal and think, there is always a lesson to be learned. Don’t get me wrong: life may be thoroughly seem to be harsh and unjust at times, and there may be moments when you can’t find any rationale atl all for what you’re going through. But hang on, you’re doing well. That’s where you have let go and trust on the divine will. Everything that happens to you and those around you has a reason and a purpose, which we would comprehend only after a certain phase. Keep the light of hope blazing.

Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.
― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone

hopeful fortitude

August 10, 2022August 6, 2022 by Ajmal

I often discuss with Netta on coping with uncertainity. We are meticulous planners by nature and often it requires robust emotional strength to cope up with the smallest uncertainity in life. In most contexts, uncertainty is often related with vulnerability. After all, we all want to feel in charge of our lives, whether it’s our employment, education, friendships, or relationships. The sensation of being “out of control” is unsettling, and we are all guilty of avoiding this vulnerable zone whenever possible. However, by doing so, we are eventually restricting our potential to improve in these areas of our life that need commitment. It is often in these moments of dread and uncertainty that we learn how strong we can be and how much inner strength we really possess. After all, personal progress flourishes where distress flows. That’s what I’ve learned with experiences throughtout my life. Often strong rooted faith and trust in the divine will of Almighty can be a good solace, often in times when we are going through tough times. You may not notice it today or tomorrow, but in a few years you will be completely mystified and astonished by how everything lined together to bring you somewhere beautiful – or where you’ve always wanted to be. You will be relieved that things did not turn out the way you had hoped. Never lose hope. Everything is manageable as long as you have hope. In reality, this inside fire of patience, trust, perseverance, faith and hope is alluded to as the real inner strength.