Win With 5 Before 5!

I was at the government clinic earlier, fetching some medication for someone. The place was packed and definitely did not illustrate the statement ‘the more, the merrier.’

Why? Because more people means longer queue times. Haha.

As I looked around, most were elderly and a few were young adults. Some looked really sick while others appeared normal. Just waiting for their turn to pick up their monthly stock of medication, perhaps.

Somehow this reminds me of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. (peace and blessings be upon him) reminder:

Take care of 5 before 5:

1. Your Youth before Old Age

2. Your Health before Sickness

3. Your Wealth before Poverty

4. Your Free Time before You’re Occupied

5. Your Life before Death

Familiar, right?

Anyway, let me ponder it further here as a self-reminder.

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Treasure Our Youth before Old Age

Many of us feel we have all the time in the world. There’s always a tomorrow.

However, without realizing it, our hair turns white. Our once flawless face now starts wrinkling or is adorned with pigmentation or age spots 😢

Soon, we’re not as strong or as alert as we once were. Even typing a simple listicle ends up with so many typos. Haha.

In less than two weeks, we will celebrate the new year 2025.

Another year older. Another year less youthful.

So, how have we prepared to make full use of our youth positively?

If we fail to plan, we are planning to fail. Ouch.

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Treasure Health before Sickness

Will there be a time when our strength and mental faculties weaken?

I leave the answer to you, though we can see so many examples around us. In the clinic, out of the clinic. Everywhere.

Fit and independent today but frail and relying on others tomorrow. Yup, that happens.

So, what are we going to do about that?

It’s best to start taking care of our physical and mental health seriously.

Eat right and exercise. Cut sugar and other harmful habits.

Avoid narcissists and mentally draining circles, for we deserve the best.

Right?

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Treasure Wealth before Poverty

Some of us are blessed with massive wealth, some enjoy moderate wealth, while some aren’t so fortunate.

If we are blessed with abundant or modest monetary wealth, let’s put it to good use. Save for rainy and stormy days. Invest wisely. Give to charity. Help the unfortunate.

Nonetheless, whatever our situation, always remember to take care of ourselves first.

Cut down excessive spending. Clear debts too.

When I was younger, I bought a small second-hand plain white car. I wanted to make it look sportier, so I added some red Evo side skirts, among other things. I ended up spending quite a lot.

An older, more financially wise me would think that was unnecessary and that I should have saved that money for a better car – one with bigger wheels so that I wouldn’t panic when driving through flash floods. (I finally did. Alhamdulillah.)

That said, as humans, we might have some regretful chapters from time to time. But don’t let them define our whole story.

We are our own authors, aren’t we? Write off the bad stuff and write a better story with the time we have left.

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Treasure Free Time before Being Preoccupied

“Go away, I am busy!”

Familiar script?

Life is full of worldly obligations. Work, family and so on.

Still, we have time to scroll through social media, sometimes aimlessly.

We aren’t too busy actually, just not prioritizing the priorities.

Use our free time wisely. We can buy things but we can’t buy time. Not even a second.

Time once lost can never be regained.

Make time for what truly matters.

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Treasure Our Lives before Death

This part feels gloomy, and I don’t want to write much, but I need to — as a reminder to myself.

Each day is a chance to do better before death overtakes us.

For Muslims, we are Caliphs of Allah. And as Dr. Nouman Ali Khan, a prominent Muslim speaker says, being a Caliph comes with significant responsibilities and life purposes.

We are accountable for how we manage our affairs and serve the world, using the abilities and resources God has given us.

With that in mind, we have to make the most of our time on earth, right?

If we’ve been ghosting or neglecting ourselves – whether spiritually, physically, personally and professionally, it’s time to stop and reset.

Now is the perfect time to reflect and strive to become the best version of ourselves.

When it comes to personal and professional development, practice self-love without falling into the trap of self-entitlement.

Facing criticism? Address it, learn and grow.

Feeling inadequate? Learn, improve and become an expert.

Communication struggles? Think objectively and speak clearly.

Feeling tired and burnt out? Rest, but don’t quit.

Surrounded by toxic influences? Choose our circle wisely and remove distractions.

Have fear? Turn it into strength!

Life is short and we are here for a purpose. Let’s grow, serve and fulfill our true potential.

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Win With 5 Before 5

Saying them is easy. Typing is equally simple. But taking action is harder.

Choose our hard, though.

Hard becomes manageable when we are clear on our goals, especially on how to win with 5 before 5.

Act now. Make every moment count.

Make our lives winning lives! 🏆