As I put in the effort,

" The strength of the effort is the measure of the results"

I am actually smiling widely with so much happiness and excitement in my heart and I can't actually express how happy I am but I will try my best to put it in words because that's what I do best. (No, I am not getting married yet. HAHA)

So recently I was so worried about my religious and university exam results and I felt like my results would not be as good as other semesters because I know that I did not put in my best as compared to other semesters. Not because I was lazy, but I just didn't have enough time to squeeze everything into my head/brain. There were just too many things to do! Okay, but I really really reaaally felt so unsatisfied that I did not put my fullest attention to each and every exam. I really tried to put in the effort and just gave my ALL. And when I say, "gave my ALL", I really meant it. Sacrifice sleeping time and social life and all that. Once exams were over, it was all about trusting in Allah and nothing else. And alhamdulillah, ALL the results were BETTER than expected.

My point here is that there is one thing you can do to actually prove to the All-Knowing that you really want it badly other than believing that He will help you - EFFORT. This effort comes together with prayers and trust in Him. And this effort comes sincerely from your heart and not by other intentions like for the sake of pleasing others. This effort is not for the people to see so that they can give you the privilege. However, this effort is so important to only the eyes of Our Creator. It doesn't matter (at all) if others don't see how much effort you have put in. Touch your heart and tell yourself that the only One I need to prove is Allah. Why? Because He is the one who let all these happen. And if He doesn't let things happen, trust Him that there is a waaaaay better reason for otherwise to happen (hidden and only He knows about it).

This might be so repetitive but I would always always like to remind myself. I feel that most of us take the advantage of thinking that it's okay to NOT put in the effort and just give up halfway and just pray to Him. And from there we are already expected to be given good results. Which is not how life works.

When we REALLY REALLY want something, we work for it, we put in the effort to get it. A simple analogy to this is when making a coffee or milo. We don't just sit in front of the coffee maker saying "okay I want a coffee/milo" and the coffee/milo magically appears in front of you. (HAHA so fairytale-like) NO. You still have to take a cup, put in the coffee/milo powder, press the buttons, stir, and so on. If we can put in a little effort for this coffee/milo, which doesn't really impact our whole life, why can't we put in so much more effort for something BIGGER and BETTER that impacts our whole life??? Isn't it more worth it? (This applies to this world as well as the hereafter)

Another thing about putting effort is that we must never ever take advantage of all the resources or platform around us which actually helps us to achieve our goals. One perfect example is waiting for the traffic light. So I was waiting for the traffic light with quite a few people. Around 10-ish? And there was this couple complaining that it was so warm and the traffic light was too slow to show the green light (sounds like a typical Singaporean HAHA!) So I decided to press the button for the green man and just a few seconds after, it turned green! - btw I tried to do this a few more times and it actually works and is indeed effective! And then I wondered, it doesn't take so much effort to put in to press the button and I feel there was a purpose that the button was there in the first place. So, never take advantage of the resources that are given to us, and if we are lucky enough to be given such resources/platforms, use it well.

I hope and pray that each and every one of us will achieve success and will always be given the strength to always do better each and every time. I pray that we will all be given the motivation every time we feel that giving up is the only option. Every effort counts to Him and trust that the All-Knowing will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS (emphasize!!) give the best to us if we prove to Him. ♥

thepinkrosette