To change, it's not easy, but it's not impossible

Salam, and hi to all. I suddenly have a thought that I want to share with all of you. Since it is the New Year according to the Islamic Hijr Calendar, firstly I would like to wish everyone a very blessed new year.. Like the Arabic saying.. "Kul 'Am Wa Antum Bikhair" - May you always be blessed and well each year.

Hijrah or Change. The new year marks the journey of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) from Makkah to Medina to spread Islam.. Hijrah itself means alot to a Muslim, individually.

Sitting alone in my room while waiting for Maghrib prayer just now.. makes me wonder whether have I changed, to a better person since the past year? To change into a better person is harder than to turn into a bad person. Because it requires a deep thought, it doesn't come instantly. Unlike being bad where we always follow our instinct, usually without thinking. Like what Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h once said... "The believers whose faith is most perfect are those who have the best character" (Abu Dawud, Darimi). Only those who think deeply, who have a strong faith or iman, will know the importance of being good.

Just to share my experience.. Some of you might know that previously I was not like who you see me today. Alhamdulillah Allah gives me the chance to change.. Before death comes to me that nothing can be changed anymore.. Alhamdulillah. The month of Muharram marks one year of this new image which I am truly grateful of, and feel so blessed to be given the realization of my own responsibility as a Muslim. May Allah give me the strength to be istiqamah in this journey insyaAllah. I need your du'a my friends.. :)

At first, I was worried of what people would say of my change. I was worried and self-conscious of my own image, how I would look like as I didn't have many scarves to be worn and I didn't know how to wear them good. I was worried and scared to leave all the things and clothes that I'd been wearing all my lives. (I mean the not-fully covered ones). I was not confident of my own determination to change. I doubted myself that my change was going to remain long. The only person that I told of my intention during that time was mom. She was very supportive. Thanks Mak. You are always my strength.

To be honest, to be a full-time Hijabi girl is a major change in my life. I can say it is a major thing in any girl's life. But to keep you going in performing a big change, I mean a good one, is your own willingness and intention. Do it for Allah. Then everything will come to ease. There will be some challenges, it's undeniable. But don't think of other people. Do it because you want to. If we do something for the sake of other people, let's say the person we do something for is gone.. We might not continue doing the good deed, right? But Allah is always there.

To all girls out there, who might have thought of shifting to a new image, a hijabi image.. Trust me, wearing headscarf doesn't make you look less pretty. In fact, it makes you more beautiful. More special. Cause you are different from others. You'll feel it insyaAllah. :)

I'm sharing my own experience here not to show that I'm good. No I'm not good enough, there's still so many things to improve within myself. But the main point I would like to share is.. If we want to change, or do something good.. Don't be afraid. Don't think twice in performing good deeds. But think twice in doing the opposite.

Salam 1432 Hijrah. :)