You’ll never believe what just came in the mail right now….

A DVD of YOUR life! Want to have a movie night? Yay! I got popcorn, candy and sodas. Let’s skip the trailers and get to the good part.

Awww….here you are crawling! Oh and there you are taking your first steps! That’s SO CUTE!

Here you’re disgusted because you don’t like your veggies…

Potty training, chicken pox, time outs…

Okay skip, skip, skip….

First day of school…

First tooth falling off…

Oops! Finding out tooth fairies don’t exist (sorry!)

Long weekends, spring breaks and summers… all the way to graduation…wow!

Those must be some really cherished memories. You smile and tear up as you relive those moments and I just sit here munching on popcorn and watching you instead of the movie!

Okay, change of plans! Let’s skip to the beginning of Year 2015…

There we are… perfect!

It’s January 2015 and you have that determined look on your face! You have so many plans and so many dreams! “2015 is the year people!” You announce proudly. You promise to be organized, productive, positive….

You know what? You vow to just be A-MAZING!

By June, motivation pipes down and you realize most of what you had planned is still un-done, you’re falling back into old habits and well… Who cares anyway! It’s summer time so let’s just relax and enjoy it. And it’s all fun and entertainment till the very serious month of September peeps in and you realize three quarters of the year had passed and you’re still the same… staring at your ‘I’m gonna be amazing’ list with one eye-brow up.

Blog_Dec_06_InsideHmm…
And before you know it, you’re holding the little 2016 calendar that came as a gift with the too many pizzas you ordered and you’re like, “What? It’s December already?? Fine! Then 2016 is the year people!”

The screen reads “To Be Continued… (Or actually: To Be Repeated Next Year…)

You look at me, shrug, then, get up to leave.

“Hey, where you going? Come back!” I momentarily stop eating popcorn. “Give me that remote!”

The Things You Wouldn’t Change

We tend to be so hard on ourselves sometimes. We tend to look at the bad and believe our worst reviews, all the while letting the good slip away. This IS NOT the story of your life. There’s so much more….

Let’s rewind…

Here! Pause this scene!

Look! You’re sleeping peacefully, because you didn’t hold grudges or maybe you made someone smile from the heart that day! Remember?

There… it’s Ramadan and your tears are falling down during prayer, you prostrate and make Du’a because you know Allah is listening and you suddenly feel so close to Him, You know He’s there watching over you. Would you even trade that serene moment for the world?

Pause these scenes: You’re focused on your studies, swallowing your anger, holding the door for a stranger, hugging a scared child, smiling with so much love at your spouse or kids, kissing your mom’s hand, running an errand for someone in need… this is all you! You’ve done so much good this year. You just forgot!

Go backwards and relive your story…

All this pain you’ve endured…

All the times you thought you failed and decided not to give up….

All the problems you’ve managed to solve…

All the lessons you learned through people who walked into your life to teach you something new…

All the laughter, the heartache, the surprises, the celebrations, the disappointments, and the stress. So much has happened…

And you know how I know you’re already amazing? It’s because you’re reading this now…. And let’s face it, all my readers are amazing… (Yeah, I’m just biased that way 😛 )

But the main reason you’re a success is because you’ve been through all of this. You’ve fallen and gotten back up and you’re ready to start again. You’re amazing because you’ve survived!

The Things You Can’t Change

I’m confused. Your life-movie is suddenly a sob-fest. What did I miss?

You’ve heard bad news. Things didn’t go your way. You’ve lost a loved one. There was an accident or a downfall or an unexpected detour….

Was it something that you did wrong? If yes, then yeah, beat yourself up a little bit and then go fix it! Deal with the damage. Apologize. Seek Allah’s forgiveness. Start over and do it right this time. But if it’s something you can’t change, if it’s not a mistake or something you can control, then I’m telling you, it’s destiny… it’s meant to be. It’s an integral part of the script, that scary or sad scene that turns events around before the happy ending.

Maybe you don’t know it now… but you will find out soon. Allah does everything for a good reason. You just need to trust His choices and accept them.

The Things You Really Want To Change

If this year was just a dress rehearsal, and next year is the real thing, what would you change?

If you could go to bed right now, wake up and all your problems have suddenly disappeared, what would your life be like?

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Big questions, huh? And we rarely think of the answers because we simply save last year’s file on the desktop and open a new window.

New promises. New plans. New resolutions!

Wake up and smell the promotional calendars people! It’s a trap!!

You can’t navigate to a better place if you don’t know where you are now.

You need to look back, see what you did wrong before you can ever try to make it right.

Look back at all the good you did, and repeat the pattern that worked best for you. Maintain the habits, attitudes and the little things you did to pile up a cherished treasure of amazing memories. Look back and accept the things you can’t change. Make room for them in your life. Switch stuff around and adjust to your reality peacefully. Look back and find the courage to change the things you can. It won’t happen overnight, but at least, there’s a starting point on your map.

You life is not scattered notes. It’s all connected, flowing and perfectly managed by the One Merciful Allah. It’s a beautiful book that tells your unique story… and how you’ve touched and changed so many lives around you.

Look back; give yourself credit for reaching this far and embrace who you are, because sometimes, it’s the new things you learn about your past that can totally change your future. See the bigger picture and realize the truth of this present moment. It’s not what you did, or what you will do…

It’s what’s in your heart right now that makes you amazing….

Tell us about something good you did this year in the comments section below. Inspire others with your story.  Sometimes one word can change someone’s world! 🙂

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73 replies on “Change Your Story…. BACKWARDS!”

  • bushraa1997@gmail.com'
    Bushraa
    January 1, 2016 at 2:02 am

    Jazaakillaahu khairan katheeran ukhtee! Love u 4Allah’s sake! The way u inspired me to relish the best memories of my closeness to Allaah SwT and rectify our affairs with complete reliance on Him~is truly admirable! May Allaah bless us to live every moment with true love, fear and hope in Him. Aameen!

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 1, 2016 at 6:54 pm

      First comment on the first day of a new year
      I’ll cherish that one forever Bushraa
      Thank you for putting a smile on my face…
      And Amen to your beautiful duaa

  • sidiqsmile@gmail.com'
    Siddique
    January 2, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    Masha Allah! Brilliantly written with a good understanding of psychology. May Allah put more barakah in your work!

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Best duaa EVER! Thank you so much Siddique

      • abdullahidirir81@gmail.com'
        January 7, 2016 at 1:39 pm

        Here I want to ask a question about the shadows.
        We all know that shadow is reflection of light and object.
        here I want to discuss about shadow and what shadow refers.
        Assallamu Aleykum.

        • Lilly S. Mohsen
          January 7, 2016 at 11:07 pm

          Salam Abdullahi
          I’m not sure if you’re referring to this article or asking a general question
          I’ll have to make an educated guess here and say you’re asking about the psychological reference. Right?
          I believe shadows are the dark sides of people, and what they fear. You can’t catch a shadow no matter how much you run. To make it disappear you need to turn off the lights… In other words, face your fears and sit alone with your dark side…admit your mistakes… Know yourself so you can know what to change
          I hope that answered your question : )

  • Hasnaqaali@gmail.com'
    Amina
    January 2, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    So beautiful. Allah has indeed blessed you with writing skills barakillah keep spreading love dear. Really really loved it. And yes gave me all motivation needed for the rest of the year lol. Jazaki Allah Al Firdos.

    • Lilly S Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Aneeeeennn for us all
      May your year be filled with joy Amina

  • mustafa.suhana@yahoo.com'
    Suhana
    January 3, 2016 at 10:15 am

    جزاك اللهُ خيرًا
    Dear sister for the lovely and inspiring write-up. MasyaAllah. My whole 2015 is full of challenges and I managed to bear all of them. Alhamdulliah for the strength HE grant upon us. There’s too much lesson I shouldn’t take for granted.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      May Allah give you more strength, wisdom and serenity Suhana
      And may this year be full of joy for you and your loved ones

    • lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 10:20 am

      I admire your strength Suhana MashAllah

  • faizaasadqazi@hotmail.com'
    Faiza
    January 3, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    It brought tears to my eyes. I was someone who lived life devoid of Allah and suddenly due to some course of events , I was redirected to His path. I can’t thank Him enough for thus honour that He provided me with this opportunity of coming closer to Him while I’m still living and didn’t leave me to regret it later on day of judgment.
    I feel like I’m a new muslim even though I was born muslim. But I have to go through a lot of struggles everyday to keep myself firm on His path and not to return back to my old heedless life. I was going through a down phase when I came across your article which ensured me that how far I’ve come and one day I will achieve the goals of being a righteous believer that I intend to be. May Allah reward you immensely. Ameen.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:12 pm

      And now I have tears in mine….
      Your words are beyond touching and inspiring Faiza…
      MashAllah

  • drahmanroyhaila@yahoo.com.my'
    Royhaila
    January 4, 2016 at 1:35 am

    Jazakallah hu khairan..this morning felt so wrong…now feeling so much better. Trying still to be a true Muslim and can be part of the Muslim who will meet our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW and the Creator our God Allah SWT in the End. Amiin.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:14 pm

      I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better. Wishing everything wrong would turn beautifully right in your life inshAllah Royhaila…

  • adeelwaris2791@gmail.com'
    Adeel
    January 4, 2016 at 2:51 am

    The way this article has been written is just amaze.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      Truly honored Adeel. Thank you for your kind words

  • Asifmasood12144@gmail.com'
    Asif
    January 4, 2016 at 3:09 am

    Masha’ALLAH
    I’m sure it has given many people a bright hope, and also strengthened them to always believe and have trust in ALLAH (swt). Makes perfect sense and Insha’ALLAH if we have trust in ALLAH (swt), things will get sorted out automatically the way HE has promised, and one thing is sure that HE has promised to bless everyone in the very best manner Insha’ALLAH.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      InshAllah Asif
      May we all be amongst those blessed with His favors and mercy

  • uzmaali2007@gmail.com'
    U Ali
    January 4, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Subhaanallah! Beautifully written! Some of it drove me to tears. May Allaah bless you. And may He make it easy for us to manage our lives!

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 7, 2016 at 11:22 pm

      Allah sends showers of blessings for every pure and genuine teardrop
      Amen to your duaa U Ali

  • wamalina@gmail.com'
    Umm Amir
    January 5, 2016 at 4:29 am

    I felt very sad lately.. Things turned out not as expected. Thank you for writing this.article. Keep it up. Jazakillah khairan kathira.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 12:42 am

      I hope you’re never ever sad again Umm Amir
      May Allah fill your life with joy…

  • cpks25@aol.com'
    Cheryl Jossie
    January 5, 2016 at 5:12 am

    2016 trying to forgive people who are so evil an mean.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 12:46 am

      That’s the kind of strength we all wish for Cheryl

  • maymanah85@gmail.com'
    Umm Maymanah
    January 5, 2016 at 5:25 am

    Ma sha Allah amazing… at the begining I was like thats me… but the way you changed the tables simply made me realize that no one is perfect and we all are special in our own ways… jazakillahu khayran….

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 12:51 am

      That’s so true… We are all imperfect yet perfectly special
      Thank you Umm Maymanah

  • naazzk@yahoo.com'
    nazma shaikh
    January 5, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Jazakillah khair fr this article i have read all the comments n i think my story is also similar with these comments but now i m waiting fr Allah’s help because i have gone thro so much pain last year so plz i m in need fr ur dua plz everyone pray fr me n yes i m in hope that Allah will help me again jazakallah khair fr ur awesome article as it has uplifted my hopes

    • lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 1:50 pm

      I ask the most Merciful Allah to fill your life with love, hope, ease, joy and endless blessings Nazma…

  • kingkayyoung@yahoo.com'
    Ismaeel
    January 5, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Mashaa Allah,a good article,may Almighty Allah bless you and put baroka in all your strives,jazakillohu khaer

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      This ‘baraka’ duaa is the most beloved duaa to my heart
      thank you so much Ismaeel

  • easepen@gmail.com'
    Lukmon bakare .a
    January 5, 2016 at 6:39 am

    I thank the almighty Allah for his mercy on me and ma family, life has been a great teacher to me as it took through it challenges from relationship to my job,friends and family.above all is no matter how hard it may be one had to priotise Allah cause he knows it all and he is the only solution to our problem in life,alhamdulilah for his blessing(Allah’s)blessings

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      So very true Lukmon
      May Allah bless you

  • doctoraabid@rediffmail.com'
    aabid rasool
    January 5, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Jazak Allah …trust me went crying ol d way while reading d article.no emotional beats no music nothing at ol still dat poweul..thumbs up.
    Ok I cudnt work jus coz I had to b wid ma family n ma presence would mean a lot n sort many problamatic situations..I olways thot I lost half a year cud have earned cud have studied fr ma post graduation xams..but now I feel blessed dat aktuly Allah had chosen me to help ma family morally ..now den things r smooth n I can sit bk n relax.money cud nt have earned me dis satisfaction.now den d things r ok I can concentrate on ma studies n can earn fr maself too..
    Allhamdulillah fr everything..

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      My utmost respect Aabid… Your parents are very lucky to have you MashAllah
      May He grant you endless blessings and success

  • mubithasli@yahoo.com'
    MI
    January 5, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Very beautifully written..and hilarious too ?which made the read even more interesting.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:11 pm

      I’m so happy to know that 🙂
      Thank you MI

  • maishamunir@yahoo.com'
    Aisha
    January 5, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Jzk Allahu khairan

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      Wa eyakom Aisha

  • dchosenone89@gmail.com'
    Aishat
    January 5, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Jazakallahu khairan. so memory brought smiles to my face but the one that makes me smiles more today is remembering my discharged patient who happily hugged me when she came for her follow up thanking me for my care during her admission. Alhamdulillah for giving me the opportunity to have this impact.
    Nurse Aishat

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:19 pm

      God bless angels of mercy like you Aishat

  • Hannah
    January 5, 2016 at 11:49 am

    Masha Allah, great article, i really enjoyed reading it like i have your previous articles. I look forward to reading more insha Allah. May Allah bless you 🙂

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:27 pm

      Extremely honored Hannah. Thank you so much

  • leila.gaheir@gmail.com'
    Laila
    January 5, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Jazaakalaahu Alf khairan, thanks u very much ukhti for this amazing article. I really appreciated the motivation u gave us to boost our hopes and rememberence towards Allah The Almighty. Its a gift of Allah to get a chance to change and increase our eeman as years go by. Every year that passes has its own struggle but I pray to Allah that we thrive our heart towards the afterlife insha Allah, because that’s the ultimate life. May Allah ease our duty in this life and guide us through the best of the path Siradal Mustaqiim. My accomplishments last year was growing closer to Allah and fulfilling His commands in learning the Holy book of Quran, and I will continue until I finish insha Allah.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      Most beautiful and amazing accomplishment in the history of accomplishments 🙂
      MashAllah Laila

  • samna786@gmail.com'
    samna
    January 5, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Such beautiful words that can conquer a readers mind.simple and thoughtful.stay blessed mashaallah.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 6:39 pm

      Your comment is even more beautiful Samna thank you

  • Mama1nana2amina@gmail.com'
    Rashida
    January 6, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Assalamu alaikum your post has taught me many things. My problem is can’t be myself. And I am too concerned of what people think of me. I do hope and pray that Allah will help me to overcome this

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      InshAllah He will Rashida
      Allah listens to any duaa made from the heart. He is the Most Generous and the Most Kind

  • orthodontist.nadine@yahoo.com'
    nadine
    January 6, 2016 at 9:14 am

    It’s not what you did, or what you will do… It’s what’s in your heart right now that makes you amazing.
    That is perfect, i like this sentence alot … it can be a concept in life.
    Gazaki ALLAH khairan.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 7:37 pm

      Honored Nadine
      Thank you so much Nadine for your sweet comment

  • ibayumah@yahoo.com'
    Ayumah Ali Ibrahim
    January 6, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    For me life is a test and getting closer to Allah is the answer. Keep the the faith and Allah bless us all.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Amen Ayumah
      You said it all

  • RABIA.COMSIAN@GMAIL.COM'
    Rabia
    January 7, 2016 at 4:14 am

    JazakaAllah..

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 8, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Wa eyakom Rabia

  • saniyasiddiqui17@gmail.com'
    saniya
    January 7, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Jazakallah khair sister Lily.
    this is an amazing post.
    this year was very emotional for me but my determination of being good with everyone no matter what others did with me. by knowing that ALLAH is always with me, makes me strong no matter whatever happen in my life. 🙂

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:33 am

      This is such an inspiration for the rest of us
      Thank you Saniya

  • Tasmiya_irshad@yahoo.com'
    Tasmiya Irshad
    January 7, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Jazaaki Allahu Khairan dear sister lily .avery motivational article

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Wa eyakom Tasmiya. Truly honored

  • maryamomotola@yahoo.com'
    MARYAM
    January 7, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    MASHA ALLAH SIS….. love ur wrte up n i look forward to read more from u, u hv really touched my heart may Allah grant u more understanding n success…. JAZAKALLAHU KHAIR

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:36 am

      BEST DUAA EVERRRRRR
      May Allah bless your beautiful heart Maryam

  • kevozkn@gmail.com'
    Kevser
    January 7, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    Dear sister Lilly, all humanity needs people like you, because you can touch our core of

    heart. The things you said were so right, and I see and believe them, but I dont know how

    to take action to throw away small, unimportant, needless stones on my way to manage

    my life truly. If you answer me, I’ll be glad, thanks a lot.

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:50 am

      First, thank you for those beautiful words… i’m truly speechless.
      and secondly, i think we all share your problem of carrying invisible burdens on our backs from the past, and it makes our journey that much harder.
      i say facing it is the key. Talk to someone and get it all out. The small things aren’t really small coz they pile up into a huge load. IThey’re important and you need them to learn from the past. So make them important, face them and deal with them and don’t leave it inside. Trust me, the small things you ignore become a scary monster with time…
      Don’t leave anything unsaid Kevser. Talk it out and resolve it before it’s too late..

  • beebah42k9@yahoo.com'
    Habiba
    January 8, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Ahhh SubhanAllah! This was beautiful! For every downfall, we had about 10 highs! I think atimes we just need to look at the bigger picture and be thankful instead of focusing on the single down moments. JazakAllah khayr ukhti! Wa BarakAllahu feek!

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:56 am

      Exactly Habiba
      I love your name by the way 🙂

  • mubtunj@gmail.com'
    Mubaraq
    January 8, 2016 at 10:13 am

    Jazakakallahu Akhiran

    • Lilly S. Mohsen
      January 9, 2016 at 10:57 am

      Wa eyakom Mubaraq. Thank you

  • maryam.qaderi8@gmail.com'
    Halimah
    January 8, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Masha Allah and thank u for sharing this 🙂

  • Lilly S. Mohsen
    January 9, 2016 at 10:58 am

    You’re very very welcome Halimah

  • maleeha2000@yahoo.com'
    Muneeba Azam Syed
    January 16, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Your articles helps a lot.
    Thanks sister. : D

  • izzahmnoor36@yahoo.com'
    Izzah
    January 26, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Thanks a lot for your very beautiful writing 🙂 Keep inspiring others.
    Thank you to all the comments and answers.
    Its inspiring..
    Indeed all of you are very nice people !
    May Allah bless 😉

  • allyyusuph46@yahoo.com'
    Ally Yusuph
    February 8, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Assalaam aleykum dear sister in Islam,
    May ALLAH reward both of us a good ending that he will be pleased with,Ameen Insha_Allah.
    I have gone throughout the article although I’m too late to read it but it’s content has made me to rethink and change from where I’m now.
    I humbly beg you dear brother and sisters ,pray for me, I need to get marry and have my own family so that I can make it an Islamic family since both my parents are christians and I’m facing some family challenges.

  • eliz_stusit@yahoo.com'
    eliz
    February 20, 2016 at 6:32 am

    Assalamualykum! thank you for your effort in writing this up 🙂