I've been laughed at, judged, criticised and probably called cringe more times than I can count.
For the things I've posted.
The opinions I've shared.
The businesses I've tried to build.
And the decisions I've made that probably made absolutely no sense to people watching from the outside.
And you know what?
I'm genuinely glad I didn't let any of it stop me.
Because when I look at how much my life has changed, I realise that so many of the opportunities I've been blessed with came from doing things I could've easily talked myself out of.
I could've worried about what people thought.
I could've convinced myself I wasn't ready.
I could've waited until I was more confident, more experienced or until I knew exactly what I was doing.
And if I'd done that, I'd probably still be waiting today.
I think so many people have dreams they're genuinely capable of achieving, but they're terrified of being seen trying.
Especially by people they know.
Your old school friends.
Your colleagues.
Your family.
People whose opinions you've somehow allowed to become more important than the future you're trying to build.
And the sad thing is, most of those people will forget about whatever embarrassing thing you did within a few days.
But you could spend the next twenty years wondering what would've happened if you'd just given yourself a chance.
I've made mistakes.
I've put things out there that I look back at now and laugh.
I've tried things that didn't work.
But I wouldn't trade any of those experiences for the comfort of knowing nobody ever thought I looked stupid.
Because Allah has opened doors for me that I could never have imagined when I first started putting myself out there.
And none of that would've happened if I'd allowed embarrassment to make my decisions.
I'd much rather be laughed at for trying to build a life I'm proud of than spend my life wondering what could've been.
So if there's something you've been wanting to do, give it a go.
You might embarrass yourself.
You might fail.
People might laugh.
But you might also look back one day and realise that being willing to look a little ridiculous was one of the best decisions you ever made.
"O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, all that is of the matters requiring determination."
Always remember, tomorrow may never come. Change your ways today before it's too late. Seek forgiveness from Allah and do good deeds to erase your sins...