Life is an Art (The Things That Really Matter)

“The most important thing in the world is family and love.” –John Wooden.

It was a loud crashing sound…enough to rattle the window panes, followed by cries of children. We shivered during prayer…we couldn’t concentrate…I could feel the tension all around me. The way we were all anxious for the prayer to end. The way we muttered prayers of protection silently, hopeful that our loved ones do not get hurt.

It was during Ramadan- when a popular lecturer had been invited to give a lecture - that the incident occurred. We had taken a break to perform the Zuhr prayer and proceed to the lecture ground afterwards.

The mosque was filled to the brim with a mix of people: those who had travelled from faraway places to listen attend the programme and listen to the sermon presented by a notable lecturer. We were clogged to each other and breathing in the mixed smell of used air and heat. We followed the imam with passion, reciting the surahs in our hearts and appreciating the unity in Islam…people from different backgrounds and walks of life, the rich and poor, young and old…all gathered together with feet and shoulders touching themselves.

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Then the sound came- loud, intense and heart-wrenching, followed by the cries of children. I was terror-stricken.

‘What if my brother has been affected? What really happened there? Is my brother safe?’ Negative thoughts filled my mind as I imagined what could have happened.

I spent the remaining part of the prayer, hoping that my brother should be safe…that he shouldn’t be harmed in any way.

When we concluded the prayer, women stood up and scuttled out of the corner, their lips trembled as they muttered the words, “Se kei se omo mi oo?”

It would later be discovered that the children were playing and had fallen an object on the head of an old man. But we were glad…glad that our loved ones weren’t affected. I was glad that my brother wasn’t affected. The women were glad that their children weren’t affected.

So this means that no one wanted their family member to be the victim. It could be the family member of another person…but, not theirs. As people ran to view the scene of the accident, their minds were clogged with fear and hope…hope that it could be someone else but not their loved ones.

This incident made me ponder on the value of the family; the one unit of the society that we’re attached to by blood. The set of people that mean more than the world to us. The set of people we wouldn’t mind, spending our last penny on.

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That’s our family. Our family provides the perfect setting for personal growth. It is the most essential unit of the society that influences a child’s life. Your parents and siblings will form your first relationship in life. Have you ever wondered why God decided to make us into different families? Have you ever wondered the real importance of having people around you who will do anything to ensure that you succeed? Well, it’s something you should sit down and reflect upon.

Lisa Weed says, “Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.”

Do you know the importance of your family members? When last did you tell your siblings you love them? When was the last time you visited home and spend quality moments with your parents? Have you ever written a lengthy message, expressing your depth of appreciation for the countless things your parents have done…the numerous sacrifices they’ve made to ensure that you are who you are today?

Irina Shayk says, “Nothing is better than going home to family and eating good food and relaxing.”

Remember that we all have an appointed time on earth…we’ll watch our loved ones depart this earth… we’ll leave too. So seize every moment to appreciate the blessings in your life. Appreciate your parents, appreciate your family. Appreciate them because these are the things that really matter!

Life is an art. It is very beautiful and lovely, although, behind those lovely designs are mistakes and errors. Life is not always the way we want it to be, but it is our duty to make ourselves happy.

Remember that life is very short to be unhappy. So forgive quickly, love truly and never forget anything that made you smile!!!

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.”-Anthony Brandt.