ISNA Canada Weekend

Assalaamu Alaikum :)

Yes, I attended ISNA Canada this past weekend and I really did enjoy it alhamdulillah. Saturday I went with my cousin's wife and kids along with my aunt. Dawud (almost 2 yrs old) and his baby sister were actually behaving pretty good, Dawud tends to get cranky if he hasn't had enough sleep. But he was pretty hyper that day. Actually ... one of the lectures I attended, he ran up to the front of the room where the speakers stood. Oh ... my ... goodness, I was hoping he would come back on his own and that I would not have to go infront of everyone to take him but then ... he got into his "baby talking" really loud. So I ran up there, picked him up and took him back to his mommy haha Thanks for embarrasing me Dawud!

Anyways, "Maniac"'s (www.maniacmuslim.com) did a really good job with his lecture. I felt it was something the youth of today must be aware of. That our parents put so much emphasis on the path of occupation that the children must take. There are many fields in which Muslim youths can explore because either way ... we're needed everywhere. We definitely need to broaden our horizons. It's funny ... because I met a girl during the weekend and she asked me what I was majoing in. I told her English Literature, insha'Allah working towards teaching and she asked me: "wow ... what do your parents think about you doing that?" I've gotten that before. I guess "english" isn't really a dominant field that a parent would want for their child. Alhamdulillah, I was never pressured to go into a specific field and work towards something I had no feeling for. The choice was mine and I took it with no problem. And yes ... I do feel it is really important for an individual to have a passion for what they are studying for because in the end, it is that individual who is going to be living that life day in and day out.

It was important for me to attend Mohammed al-Shareef's lectures because I did not have the opportunity to attend al-Maghrib. Everyone's responses to him were correct, he was an amazing speaker. And he had the ability to captivate you with his points on life and the Deen. One of the lectures was about "Goal Setting". And his approaches to that were so simple that it got me thinking "what in the world am I waiting for?" All you have to do is put yourself on a time limit, that you will achieve your goal on such-and-such date. That way, your concentration and drive is targeted towards that one or two goals you're going for. Like handing in an assignment on time. I must admit, for the past year I've been telling myself that there is something I am going to do and it will be done! But I'm sitting here and telling myself ... why havent I done it yet? Insha'Allah I'll take his advice and I know that I will be able to reach the goals that I have been meaning to achieve.

He also showed an exercise that had the audience close their eyes and picture themselves being 75 years of age. So when I closed my eyes, at first, everything was blank, I could not see anything. I'm thinking "oh no ... I'm not alive!!" But slowly the images began forming and I saw myself as an old woman, in a lighted room with many people around me. I felt happy which was a beautiful feeling. When we opened our eyes, he asked us what we saw. One girl said that she saw herself alone and lonely ... another guy said that he saw himself in a place with many people and with a lot of noise. Mohammed al-Shareef was saying that whatever you saw ... consciously, you will work towards that. Now the girl who saw herself alone, it is her job to change that if she does not want to end up alone because she can live her life with the mind set that she will always be lonely. I was real happy with my "vision" because I'm very dedicated when it comes to family and pray to be a part of a big one in the future insha'Allah.

I thought it was a great weekend. I ran into sooo many friends, ones that I haven't seen in a really long time! It was a nice reunion. I also made new friends which was even greater :D And yes, there was a bazaar there so I took advantage of buying the hijabs haha eventhough the ones I wanted were so expensive! Yeesh! The skirts that were being sold there (specifically made by one sister masha'Allah) were beautiful. I bought one from her and I totally love it. I will be visiting her more often in the future teehehe

I will be waiting for the next event :D