Priceless words of wisdom from an old professor

By Huzefa Mohamed
Have you ever read a line in a book or heard something in a movie that catches your heart and mind and remains in your memory forever? Just like you, I am a student of life and every day try to open my heart and learn from my daily experiences to recognize the hand of God in all.

I also find inspiration in other people’s books, movies and life.
A long time ago, when I first entered the university for my studies, I remembered reading a  book called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom. The story really resonated with me; I loved it.

It’s about a journalist who decides to visit his old professor every Tuesday who was dying and agrees to discuss his wisdom on how a person should live.
During their conversations, Morrie told Mitch a story of a small wave.  It is one of those profound stories that has always stayed with me.

It goes like this:  “One small wave was having fun in a big sea, rolling over and heading to the shore.  All of a sudden, he realized that other waves are crashing on the shore and disappearing into nothingness. The small wave got scared and asked the big wave, ‘Did you see what is going on? What is going to happen to us? We are going to crash!’

The big wave replied to the little wave, ‘I see. You are scared because you think we are going to crash and disappear, but you forget that we are not really waves. We are a part of the sea!’”

That story did something to me. People can interpret it differently, but any time I feel fearful about the future, I remember that there is nothing to fear, except the fear of offending God. He makes all things possible, and I must remember to rejoice in trying to do my small part the best I can. They say that the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom, and as I go through life, I have come to see the truth in that statement.

We really don’t die; we are simply moved into another world, a more beautiful one that is real and one that will last forever, because we are a part of a bigger plan. We just have to do our best to earn that beautiful place. It is all about love. Be happy and play your part and know that you are enough and perfect in the big plan of God.  He has your back, just offer your best.

Huzefa Mohamed is the author of ‘Winning the Battle’ and a training consultant based in Dar es Salaam. Call: 0764 162 527 or Email: huzefa@mindtreetz.com

The Battle Between My Mind and My Heart

There's a war going on between my heart and my mind. You see, my mind KNOWS what to do, but my heart can't feel it. They can't seem to communicate well with one another. My sleep has been affected by this vicious battle. It's the worst at night.

My heart begs eagerly to fall into the sweet memories I use to have with him. I was so happy. But my mind is at a constant struggle with my heart , fighting for me not to go down that "dark path." I mean, I give my mind some credit, it's only looking out for my well being. I shouldn't been living in a memory anyway. It's not "healthy" as they say.

But tonight, as my mind (once again) was fighting with my heart, trying every which way possible to NOT stoop low and give in....I gave in. I felt so ashamed, OH but it felt so good! I watched myself fall onto this warm and cozy cloud. It's hard to describe but it was like I was sitting a memory cloud. I saw myself laying there, my hands behind my head...feet kicked up, smiling up at the sky. I was living in the memory. The memory of fun times. The memory of when I actually felt loved. The memory of being...happy. What a peaceful place to be, wishing I could live here forever.

Just as I was feeling all good inside, my mind came to the rescue (ugh). It yelled at my heart to come back to reality. "BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK THERE!!!!!"- my heart desperately screamed back. I...don't...wan't....to. 

I felt like a 5 year old throwing a temper tantrum in a mall full of crowded people. After I yelled and screamed and cried, I suddenly was embarrassed. I suddenly felt my memory cloud disinigrate beneath me and felt like an outsider watching myself fall into the cold, mean air filled with anxiety. Falling and falling, I opened my eyes and found myself in the complete darkness of my room. 

My heart won tonight. But tomorrow is another battle.