What’s the difference between a mediocre and successful person’s mindset

The Middle Class competes…the World Class creates.

The Middle Class avoids risk…the World Class manages risk.

The Middle Class loves to be comfortable. The World Class is comfortable being uncomfortable.

The Middle Class hungers for security…The World Class doesn’t believe security exists.

The Middle Class sacrifices growth for safety. The World Class sacrifices safety for growth.

The Middle Class focuses on having…The World Class focuses on being.

The Middle Class is frustrated…The World Class is grateful.

The Middle Class has pipe dreams…The World Class has vision.

The Middle Class trades time for money…The World Class trades ideas for money.

The Middle Class is problem oriented…The World Class is solution oriented.

The Middle Class sees itself as a victim. The World Class sees itself as responsible.

The Middle Class thinks it knows enough…The World Class is eager to learn.

The Middle Class chooses fear…The World Class chooses growth.

Taken from: The Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold

A true champion!

“A true champion is not admired by their ability to fight. A true champion is admired by their ability to stand up in the face of adversity.”
—
John Cena

How to find Qibla from almost anywhere in the world?

This post is particularly gonna be of use for my Muslim brothers and sisters. Ever since I came to Sweden, I was perplexed about how I can find the correct direction of Qibla without having any compass and with the date and time where the Sun comes right above Kaaba, many many days away. So I did some searching over the internet and I came to this very useful tool someone made to find the correct direction of Kaaba (Qibla) from anywhere in the world. It’s an application built using Google Maps and what it simply does is that it shows you the direction of Kaaba with it being the center point. I really appreciate this application since I had the exact kind of idea in my mind. Without any further delays, you should have a look at http://www.qiblalocator.com/

Hope you find it useful.

How to Reach Peak Performance – How to Be the Best You Can Be

By:Dr. Raymond Comeau
How well or how badly we perform at any given moment depends mostly on the state of mind we were in at the time. Understanding that premise and understanding it well could be one of the most powerful lesson that we’ll ever learn in our lifetime.

Have you ever said anything, or come up with an idea that was simply brilliant? A time when you were so proud of yourself? And can you remember times when you said something that was silly beyond beliefs? Of course you can. So, what made the difference between these two incidents?

The difference was due to the state of mind that you were while those occurrences were taking place. In the first case, the one that you were so proud of, you were in a great and empowering state of mind. In the second case, where you could not believe how silly you could have been, you were simply in a silly state of mind.

The state of mind is the regulator of our performances. That is what makes the difference between acting brilliantly and being just plain dumb.

That fact is seen every day in professional sports. Two teams of almost equal talent and ability will compete and the team that will win will be the one who’s player had the best attitude or the best state of mind. It is true in sport, it is also true in everyday life.

The state of mind is the determining factor in the quality of of every performances. A great state of mind will produce fantastic results while a so-so state of mind will produce questionable results.

The question then becomes, “how can we increase the quality of the state of mind that we are currently are in?” How can we change a low key state of mind into a dynamic, energetic and most empowering one?

The state of mind is most influenced by three factors.

1. What we focus on.

2. What things mean for us.

3. Our body posture.

If we focus on something that is positive, exciting and uplifting, those neurons in our brain will get all fired up and our mood will follow suit. Our state of mind will also be positive, excited and uplifted. On the other hand, if we focus on the bad and the ugly, so will our state of mind.

Shakespeare said, “Nothing is either good or bad but out thinking makes it so.” We get to decide what things or events mean for us and if we chose to color positively any situation, the quality of our state of mind will automatically be uplifted.

And, last but not least, one of the most effective way of empowering our state of mind is, through body posture.

At any given moment, small receptors throughout our body are sending signals to the brain signaling information about our posture. If we are standing straight and erect with an air of confidence, that’s the message that the brain will receive. On the other hand, if we stand and have the posture of someone who is down and defeated, that’s also the message that the brain will receive.

By altering our body posture we can directly affect our state of mind. Great posture, great state of mind. Great posture accompanied by well chosen focus and a positive outlook on whatever is affecting us in the present will create a fantastic state of mind. That state of mind will then determine the quality of our performances.

It’s not always how intelligent, how smart or how educated we are that matters most in how we perform. All these factors will be under the influence of our state of mind. So, if we want to perform to the highest level that we are capable of, the first thing that needs attention is our state of mind. The quality of the performance always depends on it.

Dr. Raymond Comeau aka Shamou is the Author of ShamouBlog http://shamoublog.com/ and Administrator of Personal Development for Personal Success Forums.

Give yourself upto loneliness, fear nothing and work hard.

Bret “The Hitman” Hart. My most favorite wrestler ever, I grew up watching him. He’s been a real inspiration. Try and  dig in to the depth of the meanings of the words he said at the end of his speech at the Hall of Fame 2006 ceremony. That’s :-

“The best chance you have if you wanna rise to the top, is to give yourself up to loneliness. Fear nothing, and work hard. One thing you’ll discover is that life is based less than you think on what you’ve learned, and much more than you think on what you have inside you right from the beginning.”

The Downside to Being an Overachiever

You do it all. You play three sports; you belong to four clubs and hold officer positions in all of them; you volunteer at the local animal shelter, nursing home, and hospital; and you maintain straight A’s. Perhaps this scenario is somewhat exaggerated, but the truth is that more and more students today are becoming caught up in the trap of overachieving. Overachievers have plenty to put on a resume when it’s time to apply to colleges, but they pay a price. They lose a sense of balance, and the consequences can be severe.
The Negative Aspects of Overachieving
1. Loss of focus or passion
Overachievers are often spread quite thin. With only so many hours in the day and so much energy and effort to give, you have to divide your attention among a number of endeavors if you over schedule your time. When you feel
pressure to excel in every area, you may lose the chance to discover a genuine personal interest or talent as you attempt to master all
your activities. Consequently, you are likely to lose sight of what you truly like and to get less enjoyment from the things you do.

2. Poor physical health
The workload and time constraints of the typical over-achiever leave relatively little time for sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation is common among overscheduled students, with many of them sleeping less than six hours
per night. Excessively busy kids tend to suffer from poor eating habits, as well. If you don’t have the time to sit down to three solid meals per
day, you may have to grab food on the go, and such diets are often full of fats and sugar. Teens need sufficient sleep and nourishment to stay physically and mentally strong, so if you have too much to do, you may end up sacrificing your health.
3. Poor mental health
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that “school demands and frustrations” and “taking on too many activities
or having too high expectations” are the leading causes of teenage stress. The desire to please others, as well as our culture’s clear emphasis on success, is creating a generation of workaholics who are draining themselves mentally and emotionally.

4. Unhealthy self-image
Overachievers often base their feelings of self-worth on their accomplishments. The more they do, and the more they do well, the better they feel about themselves. Reliance on external validation,
though, can be extremely harmful. If you focus on grades, test scores, awards,and other external markers of success, you can lose sight of your inner identity. Over-achieving frequently causes students to forget that self-
worth is measured from within rather than by what others think or say.

5. Problems getting into college
The majority of colleges indicate that they are looking for well-rounded students. Essentially, they prefer applicants who achieve balance among their academic pursuits, their extracurricular activities, and their personal
lives. When admissions officers look at resumes, they are attempting to assess leadership, commitment, and integrity. If you’re an over-
achiever, beware. More is not necessarily better.

How to Achieve Balance

1. Do what you like
Sit down and make a list of your commitments. Then, rank them according to how much you enjoy each one. Weed out the activities from which you gain little or no pleasure. Instead, create a schedule of activities that reflects your true interests and passions, and don’t be afraid to cut something out or
to say no if you’re being pressured to stay involved. In the end, you’ll be a happier person.

2. Schedule time to relax
If you never have a minute to rest or have fun, you are doing too much. Take a look at your calendar and carve out specific times to ease off your usually hectic pace. All work and no play will end up stressing you out.

3. Take care of yourself,
inside and out. Make sure that you eat healthy foods and that you get a sufficient amount of sleep each night. Also, remember that exercise is a
necessary ingredient for both a strong body and a strong mind. And when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a break. Most importantly, ask for help when you need it. Parents, friends, teachers, and counselors are
all people to turn to if you start to experience burnout.

Article from www.collegeboard.com

Last days of Granada

About 1610 A.D. Muslim Empire in Spain had been confined to about one tenth of the country in south east – Granada and the outlying areas. The entire power of Christian Spain under King Ferdinand of Castile had besieged Granada. War had gone on for years. Its inhabitants were in great distress. General Musa bin Abil El Gazani was the commander-in-chief of the Granada army. He was for a fight to the finish. But the King of Granada, Abdullah El Zaquir had had it. So had the Vazir, Abdul Qasim Abdulmali. They had reconciled themselves to a deal with the Christians. General Musa bin Abil made the following speech before the King, his Vazir, Army officers and nobles:

 “Leave this useless weeping. Oh! Ye men of Granada, to the eyes of children and the delicate maidens! Let us be men, and consume our hearts, not in the shedding of unmanly tears, but in pouring forth our blood even to its latest drop. Let us go forth with the strength of desperation in our muscles and offering the breasts of brave men to the enemies’ lance, let us die in the battle as befits us. I am ready to lead you.

The Immortal Speech

Oh, my brethren, with a heart that shall not show death of the wherefore should we now refuse the honorable irresolution battlefield; better for us to be accounted by the coming world among the number of those who have been ready to die in defense of their country, than of those who stood inactive while their native land was given over to the grasp of the stranger, and who coldly looked on at the downfall of their country.

But if indeed our hearts fail us, if we have not the valour that would urge us to go forth in a last effort for our homes, then let us listen to these base conditions with the patience of heart and serenity of countenance which become us as men, and let him who can do so bend his neck to the hard yoke of a perpetual and debasing slavery.

I see well that the spirit of the multitude hath become feeble; their hearts have sunk; there is no means left for escaping the loss of the empire; but there is ever one refuge for the breast of the noble- he can seek shelter in death; and I prefer to die while in freedom, rather than to live for the sorrows to come.

For do you believe that the Christians will be faithful to the promises they make you? Will the King who hath led them to conquest be as generous a victor as he is a fortunate enemy? Be certain he will not. Do not deceive yourselves; these Christians are thirsting for our blood, and they will sufficiently appease their desire for that sacrifice. Death is the least of the evils that menace you: more fearful are the torments and humiliation which our inimical fortune is preparing for us; the plunder and sack of our houses, the desecration of our mosques; the outrage and degradation of our wives and daughters; cruel in wrongs of every kind; unjust demands; oppressive enactment; tolerance and the burning pile of the bigot, on which these Infidels will not fail to consume our miserable bodies. All these things we shall see with our eyes; those will see them, that is to say, who now fear the honorable death I propse- for myself by Allah! I shall not see them.”

The brave man looked around him, but met no responsive glance; he made a last effort, and added the following words:

“Death is certain to all, and very near to every man here present: why, therefore, should we not employ the short time that remains to us , in seeking vengeance of our enemies? Up, my brethren! Let us die in the defense of our liberty: our mother earth will receive that which she hath produced, or if to any of us there shall be given no grave to conceal him, there will at least not be wanting the heaven that shall cover him. God forbid that any man should affirm that the nobles of Granada to have proved incapable of dying for their country.”

Over there in Granada, in 1610, nobody stirred. General Musa El- Ghazani got up, proceeded to his house, took his arms and horse, mounted, rode to the Elvira gate, and charged the Christian beleaguers. Thereafter, none saw him again. He was the greatest son of Granada.

Are you ready to take life’s best punch — and stay on your feet?

Rocky Balboa

Pleasure and pain. They’re not opposites. They’re neighbors … separated by a thin line, by a split second.

One minute you’re feeling like everything is going your way … like you’re ready to climb the highest mountain … headed for the top of the world.

But in the game of life you never know.

You train for years to get a piece of personal glory or a chance to stand toe to toe with your peers and say, “Here I am. Take your best shot.” Then the contest begins and BANG! — you’re down for the count.

It’s not your day. You tried your best. But was it really your best?

So do you go home with a broken heart? Or do you get up smarter, wiser and better prepared then ever before?

It’s a new day … a new season … a new you!

You hope it won’t be the same story, or will pleasure turn into pain again? Are you ready to take life’s best punch — and stay on your feet?

I can’t answer that. Only you can.

Are you hoping for the best? Are you prepared for the challenge? Are you — A Contender?

—
Sylvester Stallone

A Look at the Propaganda against Zaid Hamid

I’ve been following this controversy for some days now. Please listen to Zaid’s response in the video mentioned. I’ve been listening to Zaid Hamid for quite some time as well and honestly, I haven’t found a single thing against the Quran & Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW). The answer he’s given is quite comprehensive in my opinion but still some cynical people can’t stop arguing saying why he hasn’t explicitly rejected Yousuf Kazzab in this speech.

Let’s also take a look at a recent conversation about the Khatm-e-Nabowat in Iqbal ka Pakistan episode 24:-

Update: Zaid Hamid questioned about Yousuf and his response. It’s a MUST SEE!

Another reference that’s been given at another location http://islamabadobserver. wordpress.com/2008/10/08/brasstacks-zahid-hamid- responds/
a guy says that “zaid hamid defended yousuf ali in dawn 13th aug 2000”, Now I went over to Dawn’s official website and thought I should take a look at the archives but the oldest one available there are of the year 2002.

Another thing you’ll notice that this whole propaganda is being fired up on the internet mostly on these looney toon type blogs whose authenticity is comletely questionable, we don’t even know for sure who’s writing such things let alone whether it’s a qadiyani or some other anti-Islamic element.

The things I want to highlight here are
1) once there was a time when even the renowned scholar Maulana Maududi was declared as kafir and there was a huge huge amount of propaganda floating all over.
2) Putting a false allegation (bohtan) on the iman of some muslim is a Gunah-e-kabeera. Please try and stay at a safe distance as I’m saying, I haven’t been able to find a single thing in Zaid Hamid’s whole campaign that is against Quran and Sunnah and he also says if there is please let me know.

As a matter of fact I find him a very inspiring Muslim who’s actually trying to make things right in this society which is better than at least a million other Pakistanis and Muslims who are so very much busy thinking about getting themselves out from here somehow, make huge money and enjoy they’re bloody mechanical amusements and ENJOY LIFE as this is the only reason they’re living out their miserable lives which is based on nothing else but a day-to-day survival routine.

Again I would say, there’s nothing personal against any one. Hope the points I’ve highlighted prove helpful in understanding the truth.

In the end I’d like to tell you guys that there’s been a guy who’s been trying to warn me of the DANGERS of following Zaid Hamid’s views. He gave me that link I mentioned above. I argued with him with almost the same arguments I’ve put up here and at the end I asked for a video of that Yousuf Kazzab audio that they mention (in which Yousuf calls a guy Syed Zaid Zaman not Zaid Hamid) so that I can see the face of Zaid Hamid as well to confirm that Syed Zaid Zaman = Zaid Hamid) but he says… oh I don’t have the video of this… Now what kind of crap is this anyway?

The way I see it is that there are many powers that don’t want the Muslim nation especially the people of Pakistan to actually know what’s happening to them and know and work on ways to get things right, because it is in their greater interests that Pakistan stays destabilized  and continue to swirl on this Democracy/Dictatorship see-saw forever with the people of Pakistan not knowing why this is happening to them. If somebody like Zaid Hamid comes up and reveals the roots of the Ummah to them again, they get pissed off.

The fact of the matter is this: The solution to the problem of the Muslim Ummah lies in the

• Re-establishment of the Khilafah(Caliphate) System.
• Getting rid of these traitors ruling us since the collapse of the Khilafah in 1924.

In the end I urge all the Pakistani citizens especially the students who’ve in their minds, left the country forever, to come back. The collapse of the American and British empires have begun. This is the time when Islam and Pakistan needs you. Be a part of this destiny. If you choose to live there, you might have a very luxurious life but I’m telling you, you will never get the peace and harmony inside you. If you come here, things might get nasty, yes, there might be sacrifices as well. But I tell you it’s gonna be worth it. It’d be a lot better than leaving you’re religion at stake for having a good luxurious life which as sure as you’re born, is gonna end someday soon anyway.

At the end, I just want everyone, every Muslim who’s reading this, to answer just one question:

Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?

——————————

Update: May 19, 2009
Few days ago a university fellow of mine Mr. Jahan Zaid received this email which he shared  over the university’s mailing group. I’d like to share it with you as well.

Zaid Hamid’s Mail

aa and dua. First of all Jazak Allah for writing to me directly for the clarification and following the Sunnah and Sharia way of resolving confusing issues. Though I have responded to allegations and clarified my positions many times on Khatm Nubuwwat, I do feel to write to you in some detail. Just for your record, I am repeating one brief reply. “Alhamdolillah, all my life has been spent keeping my self under tests and trials of fire, sword and blood for the sake of this deen and in love of Rasul Allah. My prayers, sacrifices, my life and death remains for Allah and His Prophet (saw). My izzat, life, parents, property, family and even good deeds are sacrificed on Rasul Allah. I am not mad to follow false prophets after Sayyadna Rasul Allah (saw). Those with noor can see the rehma, baraka and khair from Allah and love of Rasul Allah in the life and mission of this humble faqeer. Hasbu nallah Naimul Wakeel, Naimul Maula wa naimun Naseer. Curse of Allah, angels and momineen be on those liars who claim to be “prophets” after Sayyadna Khatim un Nabiyyeen Muhemmed Rasul Allah (saw). Also cursed and Rajeem are those who follow such liar “prophets” and also cursed are those who accuse innocent Muslims of following such false prophets. There will be no prophet after our beloved Sayyadna, Maulana, Muhemmed Rasul Allah, Rehmat ul lil Aalimeen (saw). May Allah keep us in His serene and blessed noor and Rehma in dunya and Akhira” Alhamdolillah, for the last two weeks, we were in Haramain Shareefain and also spent about a week in Masjid nabwai shareef presenting my case to Allah and His Prophet (saw). I am indeed hurt. Not at the fact that I am being opposed. In fact I am pleased at this. I am being opposed by Kafir banking systems, Indan assets, hostile secret services, media cartels, government proxies, religious and sectarian terrorists, and all those with whom Allah and Rasul Allah has declared war against ie: Riba based system of Dajjal. They have already tried to silence me by trying to buy me out. When that did not work, they started a massive slander and Bohtan campaign from secular english to “Islamic” media. Now we at Brasstacks are loosing clients and our economic noose is being tightened to put pressure upon us. Now I am waiting when they make a physical attack. Hasbunallah !!! Alhamdolillah, I am happy and say shukar at this as this humble faqeer has hurt and dented the system of Dajjal globally and given hope to this nation in these times of trial and tribulations. When I opted and decided to tread this path of Jihad and sacrifice at a very young age, I never expected it to be bed of roses. It never has been, by Allah. But I am hurt because now I am being accused of betraying the very sacred soul who remains the centre of gravity of my soul, life, love, death and honor — Sayyadna Muhemmed Rasul Allah Sallalla Alaihe wassalam. But then, this time in Medina, I received the serenity and peace that inshallah, this matter will be handled by Allah himself and I need not scoop to lowest of levels or counter attack to lower levels to which these accusers have sunk themselves. I have clarified my position as above. From the requirements of Sharia, Sunnat and law, this should suffice for any Muslim to explain his Imaan and beliefs. beyond this, I strongly urge people to come and visit me and seek further clarifications. Things are not as they are being projected. There is also another side of the story which they are not telling. But it cannot be discussed on e-mailing matches and blogs with such characterless and unreliable characters because it involves sharia documents, legal doctrines, legal proof and Fatwas and statements of top religious scholars, council of Islamic ideology and serious papers on abuse of blasphemy laws in the country, sectarian wars abusing the law and its complex legal and Islamic remedies. you will be shocked once you know the facts on how they are lying from their teeth. Let me sit face to face with the accusers and By Allah I shall confront them on all counts in the presence of anyone who wants to sit and be the judge. This is what sharia demands. I am NOT supposed to respond to shadows on the wall who are simply accusing without fulfilling sharia requirements. Also, it must be decided what should be the punishments for all those who have violated every sacred law and accused me of bohtan without verifications. Already so much of their lies are exposed. isn’t this enough to prove that they are liars??? Again, why we ignore the hadees of Sayyadna Rasul Allah that anyone who propagates hearsay without verifying is a liar !!! By Allah, they are liars and slandering a Bohtan only. It is a heavy burden they carry in dunya and indeed it would be heavier on day of judgment. I will NOT make personal attacks on them nor scoop to their levels. Let them do what they want. I will add only a few more points to answer your questions and to complete the hujjat: details on personal meeting inshallah. For now this should suffice. I am NOT a follower of that idiot Yusuf. May Allah’s curse upon those who accuse me of following him. But you should also try to study his case. Did he really claim to be a Prophet? what did Maulana Sattar Niazi and dozens of scholars say in writing about Yusuf? what is the sessions court judgment on his conviction ? is he sentenced to death on claim of prophet hood or something else? who were the witnesses whose evidence was used? Were sharia and sunnah requirements were fulfilled in the sessions court ? Why no religious scholar appeared in the court to testify against him? What was the judgment of council of Islamic ideology after this case verdict? why no media group projected the case except Khabrain and Takbeer ? In fact, Nawai Waqt and nation defended Yusuf by publishing statements of top scholars defending yusuf ????? Was that a case of blasphemy or money disputes and sectarian warfare??? You MUST find this out. I work, live and inshallah will die only for Allah and Sayyadna Muhemmed Rasul Allah alone. I don’t work for any agency or secret group or cult, astaghfurullah. Life of every Muslim is sacred and cannot be taken on suspicion. Property of every Muslim of sacred and cannot be violated on suspicion. honor of every Muslim is sacred and cannot be violated without fulfilling requirements of Sharia and deen. The last sermon of Rasul Allah equates life, property and honor with sacred day of Hajj and sacred city of Makka. It is most unfortunate that those calling themselves as Muslims violate each and every basic tenant of Islam by involving themselves in utter and absolute Haram without any proof, sharia requirements or verifications. If we believe in Allah and Rasul Allah and fear the day of judgment, then we should be very very careful when a Muslim is accused of being a Kafir or murtid or doing his Takfir.. This is greatest of sins. Isn’t this strange that none of the accusers who write these articles seek any clarification from me nor have met me, nor know me, nor know nor willing to listen to any explanations. they keep coming back with pen names, e-mail names, refusing to listen to any clarifications nor accepting my invitation for a face to face debate ? what are they afraid of ? I left Karachi in 1992 and have never met any of these accusers ever since, if ever. most of them I don’t even know. Have they given any proof of any allegations or still it is just hearsay or stories of “personal” experiences so factually wrong and lies that it is nauseating. All my life has been spent on razor edge for the sake of Allah and Rasul Allah (saw), risking and sacrificing everything that is considered precious in this world for the sake of Sayyadna Rasul Allah (saw) and this deen. I was 22 years old when I went to Afghanistan to fight the Soviets when a life of worldly promise and brilliant career awaited me in Dunya. Spent six year in battle fields, surviving on daily basis, with my parents, wife, kids and loved ones not knowing in which valley my grave would be. I did not do all that for money, sense of adventure or to serve any secret service. By Allah it was and it still is for Allah, Rasul Allah and this Ummat e marhoom. When I came out after six years, i had to struggle on daily basis once again to feed and support my family. Jihad was NOT a paying venture. We spend from our own pockets or given most minor wazeefa of few hundred rupees per month by the jihadi commander we fought along with. My present work of BrassTacks and its Azaan is also with the same junoon and ‘dewangi”. It is Not for money or to serve any secret agenda. We have done over 70 programs. Apart from being anything against Islam, Quran or sunnah, these are highly subtle, sublime and sophisticated essence of deen and khair reviving the Ummah and nation and attacking the entire exis of Kufr and Dajjal. Cant we see the baraka and khair which Allah is giving to this mission and its message. My dear brother, in these times of fitnas, we need to be careful with people, I agree. But we should also be careful that we don’t shoot down the only message of dignity, honor and hope which has come out for this nation to fight and confront those who have declared war on Allah and Sayyadna Rasul Allah (saw). By Allah, I can say with confidence that those fighting against us are either Nadan dost or Dana dushman. By trying to destroy us, they only serve Zionists, bankers, Indians and our enemies of Pakistan and Ummah. May Allah be our guide and be my witness in what I have written. He is my Wakeel and I rest my case with Him alone. Jazak Allah once again and duago Zaid Hamid

iPhone, Here I come baby!

Rocky’s commin to get ya baby.