Reduce, Recycle , Redeem with Al Meera

The issue of Global warming, climate change is getting serious in many countries, tons of precautionary measurement to address this issue has been put forward with an effort of helping the mother earth survive from abuse. But who really destroy the mother earth? While typing this question made me remember the winning answer of Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco's from the Philippines.

"Who or what do you think is the biggest enemy of Mother Earth and why?"

Her Answer "I believe that the real problem in this world is not climate change; the real problem is us because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds, and redirecting our steps, because together, as a global community, our micro efforts will have a macro effect to help save our home, our planet. Thank you."

Indeed to answer to this question is to have our self-assessment,because if we are those people who are not conscious of our own waste then we are indeed the one who hurt the mother earth on our own way. Dont we?

It is very satisfying to see various effort from various sector towards helping our mother earth, and i hope that we can all contribute toward attaining the goal of 3R'sin our little way. The bottle of the water were we used, to the can of our drinks will help the mother earth through recycling. And the good news is, we are not just helping save the environment we can also redeem our points through reward system from Al Meera. How to do it? Simply look for recycling machine usually place near the entrance and exit door or Al Meera.

How to recycle?
1. Make sure that your plastic bottle and can is empty.
2. Place the plastic bottle or can into the hole one by one.
3. Once all your container are in, press the green button and wait for your receipt.

As easy as that!!!

Once you gave the receipt you can finally redeem. Please note that 10 points for every bottle or can you recycle regardless of the size.

How to Redem?

Present the receipt to the Customer service counter and they will ask you to write on top of the receipt your Meera Reward membership number, and points will be credited to your account within a week.

So Have you tried recycling? Share to us your experience and thoughts.

Minimalism at Work

As i try to soak myself deeper into the topic of minimalism i found out that minimalism is not just about our personal belongings at home that we keep if it spark joy or the items that serve its best purpose in our everyday life. We can also bring our minimalism approach while at work place. I have 4 favorite apps that really improve my work and keep me on track. In today's world, we cannot deny the fact that it is the era of the smartphone, many of us rely on our smart phone in so many ways. So here are my 4 picks smart phone apps that you can use while working at corporate world.

1. Google Keep

I used to be the person who has a lots of notebooks to track my schedule, daily journal and to do list because i like to keep myself up to date and organized. I even have a color coded notebooks, pens and marker so i can easily identify my to do list. That i always end up carrying various small notebooks in my bag. As i embarked into my minimalism journey i found google keep  that help me with my to do list, journal while on the go without adding more items to carry in my bag.

2. Cam Card 

I have learn this from my previous job where i work as secretary, one of my job is to take note of various calling card of our clients for future references, my boss used to receive a lots of business cards during meeting and he used ask me to sort it out into a business card holder, as the time goes by most of the business card gets ruined because it get so sticky and sometimes the necessary details are lost. One Apps that would help us keep all those business card is Cam Card. As long as you snap each card nicely you can stored all the details and can easily share it to your office mate whenever you want.

3. Dropbox

We all have our large files that we need to keep for future references. One of the dilemma i have encounter while working at the corporate environment is when your computer suddenly crash. I remember myself back in Philippines while working as USAID-GEM Intern for a logistics company as FIDI-FIAM Auditor where-in we are give the last 5 years files and check it one by one if they are in accordance with FIDI-FIAM standard. One day my computer crash  after finishing nearly 10 boxes of files. I was in huge dilemma because the IT cannot recover my files and i have to repeat everything from ZERO! what a waste of time!. After that incident i promise myself to have a back-up of my future files. So i always carry USB or hard drive with me. But having them in my bag will really take space so thanks to Dropbox i can store large files and can access it anywhere with he help of internet and easily share it with my colleague. 

4. Scanner

Scanning a documents is easy when you have a good printing machine. But at work that does not happen too easy. Sometimes your company need to keep the old printing machine that really make your work slow because often times it needs to be repair and repairs need to have a lots of process like asking for quotation and getting it approved. Sigh.... At the end of the day what you need is to expedite your work because the deadline will never wait until your machine will get a repair. I like to use Cam scanner from my phone. I dont need to wait for the machine to get repair, i can just easily use my phone, scan and get the documents ready to be sent.

Their are thousand of apps that will help us replace those traditional items with one reliable and multi functions items. So all you need is to research and find out what is the best for you that will help you lessen the burden while work.

So, what is your favorite app?

Minimalism in Islam

In my recent blog i have talk about minimalism and my understanding towards Marie Kondo book. Today i want to talk about minimalism based on Islamic Perspective. 

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate. Source:  Surah Al-Furqan Aya 67:

My understanding towards this ayah is that Islam is teaching us on how to be moderate in many ways, the food we eat, the spending we does, it further emphasize our balance in attaining success in this world and the hereafter. Thus it is safe to say that Islam is a way of life that covers our entire existence from our birth up to our death and whatever is in between.

It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib, from his father, that his grandfather said:

"Eat, give charity and clothe yourselves, without being extravagant, and without showing off."

أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ كُلُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا وَالْبَسُوا فِي غَيْرِ إِسْرَافٍ وَلاَ مَخِيلَةٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Reference	: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2559
In-book reference	: Book 23, Hadith 0
English translation	: Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2560

Aside from Quran we also have the hadith (ways and teaching of Prophet Mohammad SAW) based on his Seerah he has live minimalist in his lifetime, in which he dosen't own any fancy stuff, in fact it was only mentioned that he live in a small house with only few belongings that serve him well. Prophet Mohammad SAW even teaches us not to waste water in our ablution. 

It is narrated that Ibn 'Umar said:

"The Messenger of Allah saw a man performing ablution, and he said: 'Do not be extravagant, do not be extravagant (in using water).'" (Maudu')

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُصَفَّى الْحِمْصِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بَقِيَّةُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَجُلاً يَتَوَضَّأُ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تُسْرِفْ لاَ تُسْرِفْ ‏"‏ ‏.

English reference	: Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 424
Arabic reference	: Book 1, Hadith 459

And also with the food that we eat.

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“It is extravagance to eat everything you want.”

حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، وَسُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ كَثِيرِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ الْحِمْصِيُّ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا بَقِيَّةُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ نُوحِ بْنِ ذَكْوَانَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ مِنَ السَّرَفِ أَنْ تَأْكُلَ كُلَّ مَا اشْتَهَيْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

English reference	: Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3352
Arabic reference	: Book 29, Hadith 3477

 As am writing this blog  and in my search for the topic of minimalism aside from the Quran and Islamic book i remember the series of  Umar Ibn Al Khattab series which i have watch in MBC (if you are in Middle East) or you may check it via Youtube. This series is really educational in the sense that it has touch the before and after the Hijrah and the life of the Prophet of Islam Mohammad SAW and the Sahabah (companions of RasuAllah SAW) particularly Abu Bakr as Siddiq who didn't pay attention much on what the worldly life. It was even mentioned that during the cause in support for the muslims armies he even donate all his belonging. SubehanaAllah!

In Qatar there are charity box situated in various places where you can drop cloths, shoes, bags and toys. The Qatar charity give this to under privilege individuals. Although i am used to drop items in this box before minimalism, but its only a few couple of pieces because am hoarder, but now i realized that having less, keeping only what spark joy, and items that i need gives me peace of mind. And i find my room to be relaxing and a place where i can simply create free flow content ideas to further enhance skills and do what i love to do with increase level of concentration. It becomes a place with great joy because i finally know what inside my room, and utilized every single one of them and they really serve their purpose. 

In our life today, we as human being has our wants and needs. Most of us work hard to finish Universities in our pursuit for greener pasture, because we wanted to land a job that would pay us better salary so we can buy things that we want and need, and live the life we always aspire for, Islam does not prohibit any of this, just as how RasuAllah SAW address it on below hadith.

'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who has, in his heart, an ant's weight of arrogance will not enter Jannah." Someone said: "A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?" Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people."

وعن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “لا يدخل الجنة من كان في قلبه مثقال ذرة من كبر” فقال رجل” إن الرجل يحب أن يكون ثوبه حسناً ونعله حسناً‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ “إن الله جميل يحب الجمال الكبر بطر الحق وغمط الناس” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.

Source: Sahih Muslim Book 1, Hadith 612

Islam wanted to teach us is to utilized our resources and use it accordingly. Living life Islamicaly means living it without or less excess, but it does not mean we should take away the privilege of luxury if we can afford so, we have to bear in mind that Islam doesn't prohibit us from enjoying beautiful things because Allah swt loves beauty.

Before my minimalism journey, i used to be the person who used to buy random things. At the end of the days those items end up just in corner and wasn't even used and sometimes wasn't even open and i always lost track of the stuff i have. It become literally an eyesore that no matter how many big wardrobe i have still its not enough coz its simply alot. Mostly are not even used or was used just few times. specially the dress for special occasion. After minimalism journey i understood the following concept.

1. Own things that spark joy.

2. Keep things that you need.

3. Disposed what is excess. 

It is amazing how Islam thought us about minimalism, but because we educate our self less we only find it our later in our life and what sad about it is from other people of other faith. Most of the discoveries are already in Quran and Sunnah or RasuAllah SAW if we only exert extra miles toward living and educating ourself islamically then we will realized that those new trends was never new form Muslims because RasuAllah SAW has though us about it long time ago...SubehanaAllah....

Glossary
1. The Hijrah is the migration or journey of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, in the year 622 (Source: Wikipedia).
2. Seerah are the traditional Muslim biographies of Muhammad from which, in addition to the Quran and trustable Hadiths, most historical information about his life and the early period of Islam is derived. (Source: Wikipedia).

Minimalism Journey

I consider my self as a minimalist for 14 months now, I got more interested in minimalism after my trip to Seoul, South Korea where most room are really compact, it was my first time living in a such a tiny space, but i was amazed by having a small room yet all the things that i need were their, it was really amazing, plus the fact that it is very easy to clean wherever i wanted too, i dont even have to spend so much time to clean it, in less than 10 minutes am done!

(My room in Seoul, South Korea)

After my trip, i went back to our home and realized how huge our Family home is for us, literally most of the space remain to be un-used and we have a lots of things that we don't really need laying around or just inside the cabinet. My mother alone has tons of cloths that she lost count off, yet still find her self having no cloths to wear if you bring her to a party. Will i guess just like many woman does, but the truth is, we dont want to repeat the cloths we wear before because we are afraid of what the society may say to us, or simply that clothing has been seen in another event, and we had our selfie done, we need a new OTD (Outfit of the Day), or we simply cannot decide which  cloths to wear. Am i right?

With my great interest to minimalism and living tiny, i watch almost all of the episode of Living Big in a Tiny House hosted by Bryce Langston, i was amazed how the tiny living become a game changer for many people in many country. It become a game changer because you can now have a house that will not break you bank account or you may not require a bank loan in building a home. Which means you have more freedom to do what you want with your earning like traveling, investing, or anything that will pleases you.

Since i started my minimalism journey i was very curious to read the book of Marie Kondo, and amazing i finally find the book! Believe me i read from cover to cover and did my job in taking down notes of what i have learn.

1. No matter how much knowledge you gather if you dont change your way of thing you'll rebound 

It is very true in many sense, because even if you have watch, read or learn all the books of minimalism, if you cannot change your way towards owning things, or you stay where and how you live your life still you will stay the same and nothing will ever change. 

2. Begin by knowing your ideal lifestyle

Deciding to be minimalist starts within yourself, you decide and picture out what kind of life you want to live, from the sketch you work towards what brings joy to you. Imagine what kind of life you want to live. 

Many of us has their own ideas of livings, has idol to follow and has aspirations of what we want to be, and how we want to live. Some of us may wish to have the huge closet full of dresses, while others may prefer to live simple yet functional living. Whatever you want to become, and whatever lifestyle you want to live, go for it, if it makes you happy, live by it, and start to doing and forming things to achieve whatever your aspiration would be.

3. Keep the things that brings you joy

When you decide to live a minimalist living, and if you are like me who own tons and tons of things of course you really have to decide what to kept, and what to discharge. Based on this book, you have to 1st decide what to keep, what makes you happy, what brings joy to you, what is more valuable, what is useful to you, then proceed in letting go of the things that you dont need, dont use, or things that dosent spark joy.

4. Keep it or Chuck it

What ever is the things that you decide to keep, keep it with confidence and take good care of it, increase its value by loving it or using it, otherwise if you cannot see yourself having something then discharge it without a guilt.

5. Surround yourself with the things that you love

When you surround yourself with the things that you love, it becomes your most favorite place, because it give you the ambiance of being able to relaxed and happy by seeing your most favorite stuff. And be able to think to form new ideas, as Marie Kondo mentioned it becomes your personal paradise.

I have learn in this book that tidying up is not just with our cloths and stuff, rather  she also mentioned that by taking good care of your money, you will fell gratitude of removing cash. Which is true in my case. Before my minimalism journey i used to have a long wallet, and the cash inside was never arrange, and i just used to spend on random stuff and use to go to mall for nothing and i always end up buying things that i dont even know where to us, its just that i find it cute while at the store.... (hahaha). 

Now i always take good case of my money and it is always arrange accordingly, i find myself always thinking smartly before buying, perhaps it is because you will see how much will be left after spending so and so. So it really saves me money.

Lastly, the most important lesson i ever learn is through tidying you will learn on how to love yourself, define your life, know what you really want and what matters to you the most, and you keep those things that brings joy to you. Having a clean and tidy space will give you the ability to detach yourself from what give you stress. Because having alot of things means we have a lot to take think about, in which most of the time it gives stress to us. 

So what is your minimalism journey?