Self-reflection leads to self-improvement, self-realization, and ultimately, the destiny we choose.
We all engage in self-talk. It can be positive or negative, lighthearted, or serious. However, the way we talk to ourselves about others is often unproductive and leads us nowhere. This is known as “Window Analysis.” On the other hand, when we reflect on our own behavior and choices, it’s called “Mirror Analysis.” We ask ourselves questions such as, “Should I have reacted differently?” or “Am I living my life the way I should?”
By critiquing ourselves before others do, we can strive for self-improvement and excellence. Great people have demonstrated that self-criticism leads to success. Remember that perfection is a goal for the future, and we can achieve it by making each day better than the last.
In addition to self-reflection, saying “Asthaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness in God) is a form of self-criticism that acknowledges our faults and sins before God, motivating us to be better individuals. Ultimately, our decisions and actions determine our destiny, whether we choose the path of light or darkness.
As Sir Iqbal once said, “Amal se zindagi banti hai jannat bhi jahannam bhi / Ye khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari”
(Life is made through actions, leading to either heaven or hell. This earthly body is neither luminous nor made of fire.)
Indian Islamic Center Abu Dhabi, Dec 2010
One comment
May Allah bless you for the good work that you are doing. This is a very important topic that you mention here and one which I have been fixated on my whole life. I think it is wonderful that you teach kids or teens about this and can even see you giving workshops on it. I find the problem to be more rampant with the female species for whatever reason…it appears in the form of idle gossip or unkind words toward or about others or worse, into a type of non action or barrier toward progress of the soul for oneself and others. I think that we all, as human animals, have so much to work on that far be it from any one of us to focus on the shortcomings of others….afterall, that’s God’s work which we need leave to Him and to Him alone. For He is capable of all things…and can even know the thoughts of the tiny black ant under the black rock in the blackest of nights…so do we not think Him capable of seeing into the hearts and minds of others? I will close by saying one last thing, we have only to approach each and every thought and action with onlly two things which encompass everything else and that is: pure love and pure unselfishness and the world would be a whole different place and our level of Iman far higher.
Peace and blessings,