Barakah Experience #2

I'm a working mom to a one-year-old son. Alhamdulillah, I have the opportunity to work from home, which allows me to witness my son growing up every day. However, balancing both responsibilities is very demanding, especially since I don't have any household help.

When I'm taking care of my son, I find myself thinking about work. When I'm working, I feel guilty about leaving him to play by himself, and I worry that his development may not be optimal. I couldn't be fully present in either role. I also placed an expectation on myself that I had to excel at both motherhood and my career. Looking back, I realize I had embraced a kind of hustle culture driven by my own ego.

Even so, I always try to see my challenges through the perspective of barakah, by being grateful for everything Allah has blessed me with. I set my intentions sincerely, put my trust in Allah, and involve Him in every aspect of my life.

Now, I strive to give 100% of my attention to whatever I'm doing in the present moment. When I'm with my son, I choose not to think about work because I know it only makes me anxious and prevents me from enjoying our time together. When I'm working, I pray that Allah grants me the ability to complete my tasks efficiently, with less effort and in less time.

It's not always perfect, and I often struggle to stay focused. But I remind myself that, no matter what happens, the most important thing is to keep returning my heart and mind to seeking Allah's pleasure in everything I do.