It's a New Day

Assalaam Alakium sisters!

Happy March! I feel every month should be a fresh new start. Ideally, we should all set goals for ourselves and try to attain them before the month is up. Islam teaches us to be productive and constantly learning. Well, as I thought about this post I realized I should discuss some of my goals, past and present. 

If you've been reading this blog for the last month or so you know I started blogging again late January. Being that it was almost February when I started again I gave myself one goal; to write 50 blogs in the month of February. I didn't quite get to 50 but I did come pretty close, the last week of the month brought a lot of lack of motivation. I kind of "fell of the wagon" so to speak in terms of this blog and with no real reason. 

I don't want this blog to be an obligation for me, I want to enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts with the world. That being said, for the month of March I'd like to make a promise to myself first as well as the rest of you. If there is ever a time I don't have anything productive or just lack motivation to write, I won't. Simple as that. I value quality over quantity. So kicking off with that promise here are a few of my goals for this month:

1. Write productive, thought provoking posts. 

2. Focus more on the content rather than the number of posts. 

3. Do at least one "mini series" regarding converts and Islam

4. Write whenever I can, how much I can. I don't want to limit or force myself to write 2-3 posts per day.    

Those are just the goals I have for this blog this month. InshAllah, in the next few days maybe I'll write a post on other goals I have. 

What are your goals for the month of March?

Do you set goals for yourself often?

Quote of the day: "A goal without a plan is just a wish"

Have a wonderful day!

Wasalaam,

~Hijabi Butterfly~

A Dear Memory

Assalaam Alakium sisters!

Just a little random butterfly love =)

InshAllah your Sunday has been a blessed one! It's been pretty chill over here. The Writer is watching basketball while I'm listening to the Purpose of Life presented by Khalid Yasin. I'm going to be sending it to my mother inshAllah. Which brings me to the purpose of this blog. I'll always have a fond memory of Khalid Yasin.

In the winter of 2007 I began really learning about Islam. I had just started reading the Qur'an and understanding Islam. I had a tremendous amount of respect for Islam and was deeply considering converting. I was invited by some of my Muslim friends to attend an Islamic lecture. I was nervous thinking I wouldn't "fit in" or that I needed to "look" a certain way. I assumed I would be looked down upon if I didn't cover my hair. 

Despite all of my reservations, I went, as I was. As we walked into the room where the lecture was going to take place, I was flooded with smiles and hugs from sisters. They were all so welcoming to me and kindly asked me about myself. It was really a overwhelming feeling for me, you see, I never felt that way before. I felt like I belonged even though I had tight jeans and my hair showing. Despite all of that, they welcomed me.  

As the lecture began, I seen this African American brother walk up to the front. I immediately felt the respect the audience gave him. At the time, I had no idea who he was even though I'm sure I had watched a few of his videos on YouTube. Throughout the lecture/talk he never made me seem inferior. And I say this because I was sitting up front, not wearing the hijab and was clearly a non Muslim. He was presenting his idea for a television network and talked a little about the purpose of life.

At the end, he asked if anyone wanted to accept Islam. My friends who brought me asked me if I wanted to take my shahada at this time but I wasn't quite ready. I knew that Islam was the truth but I was overwhelmed by the amount of people in the room. I was scared that I'd mess up the Arabic and look like a fool. I let my insecurities get the best of me that night, nonetheless I was still respected and welcomed. 

Even though I didn't take my shahada that night, I still remember how I felt. I always look to that night when I run across Muslims who aren't very welcoming. The group of sisters at the event were amazing. May Allah bless them all. Ameen. Whenever I watch or listen to a lecture by Khalid Yasin I remember that night. 

I recommend that you all listen or watch the Purpose of Life. Give it to your family members, Muslim or not. This is beneficial to all of us. We can never remember Allah too much. 

Have any of you listened to this lecture? If so, would you give this to a non Muslim?

Have a great night!

Wasalaam,

~Hijabi Butterfly~

Meal Planning

Assalaam Alakium lovelies!

Jummah Mubarak! How's the morning/afternoon been so far? Not much has been going on over here, the Writer is at work and I'm chillin at home today. I have a few things I need to get done though. Cleaning and meal planning are the two biggies. 

We need to take a much needed grocery run over here. We've been eating out way too much. My pizza fix has definitely been fixed.

Having pizza two times in one week = feeling horrible the rest of the week. It'll be awhile before we order pizza again. Which brings me to meal planning. 

Not having any groceries in the house has been horrible, so my goal for the day is to make a meal plan. For those of you who don't know what meal planning is, it's where you write down what you are going to eat for a week or so. I've done this for awhile but would just write down meal ideas. This time I'm planning for each day. Planning = Success

Not only does meal planning keep you away from spending outrageous amounts of money on groceries ($200 a week! No way) but it can also make a diet or lifestyle change easier. The Writer and I really want to start living healthier and one thing we plan on incorporating in our life's is juicing. We have a Jack La Lanne Power Juicer and need to start using it on a regular basis. 

Do any of you meal plan or juice? If so, let me know what meals or recipes you make often. I'll post a recap of our meals as soon as I get all of it together. 

"Eat of the good things we have provided for your sustenance, but commit not excess therein." (Qur'an 20:81)

Have a great day!

Wasalaam,

~Hijabi Butterfly~