K.I.D.Z.

“They’re just kids. What do they know?”

Some might say that children cannot do anything as good as the adults. They are in the learning phase and that is why their skills are below the adults.

However, I found it was not entirely true. Recently, I watched Australia Junior Masterchef. It was an Australian TV show, a cooking competition among children age 8-12. In the competition, they were expected to do several challenges from Australian famous chefs and be creative in inventing their own signature dishes. Those children who age 8 to 12 proved that they were as good as adult chef. They cooked professionally and their dishes looked well prepared. I was so amused by their performances.

This show has taught me that we can really learn from everybody. What I learned from the Junior Masterchef children is that they are always positive and have strong can-do attitude. They always finish the challenges they have been assigned to. They always support each other even give compliments to their competitors. How many of us would do that in real life? Some of us could say it is being acted in the show. However the message is still there. We can win competitions without having to beating our competitors all the time (win-win situation).

Also, I learned from the show is that children need positive encouragement, instead of criticism. It will give much better impact on them. I realize that it is much much easier to criticize people especially children than to motivate them. Why do not we start right now? Hopefully to make their lives better and our lives better, too…

Photo: news.com.au

TGIE (Thank God It's Everyday)

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, my punishment is severe.' (Ibrahim: 7)

It is said that our Lord will add more things we enjoy in this world if we are being grateful. We never doubt on that. Yet, almost every day there are too many times we complain on practically everything.

“I hate waking up early in the morning especially Monday morning”

“Gosh, why are we stuck in this darn traffic jam?”

“Well he just got promoted. Why didn’t I? I have helped this company a lot in achieving its foals. The management is not fair.”

“Why didn’t my husband work harder so we can get more money?”

“Why does my wife keep nagging at me about money? Don’t we just have enough?”

“Oooh our national soccer team sucks. They played very bad. How can we compete in the World Cup?”

“I am too fat. Why can’t I be just thin as she is?”

“When will I recover? I hate being sick.”

“I have done my best to provide good education for my kids. Why aren’t they getting good grades?”

….and the list continues…

Complaining is a piece of cake. We can do it whenever we want and to whomever we want. There are plenty reasons why we should complain. Nevertheless, do we feel better after complaining? Do we really solve our problems by complaining? Does complaining make our world better? The answer could be yes or no but I am pretty sure that most of us answer no.

In my opinion, why we complain is because we always want to look for better things. We always wonder what it has been like if….what it feels like if… We are never satisfied. Some say it is natural for human not feeling satisfied.

However, if we really believe in the Quran verse I quote earlier, we should be grateful for everything we have had. There is always positive thing in everything. Silver lining lies behind the dark clouds we encounter in our lives. Therefore, stay positive no matter how hard it is. Stay strong for you and your family. Happiness is just around the corner.

Photo: idrischasbiy.blogspot.com