Coach Zaid Ismail

May Allah grant her the peace that she yearned.

Resilience is often traded for self-pity. I don't recommend self-pity.

Is your definition of success really your definition of success?

Or did you perhaps borrow it from society without really noticing?

Our fixation on appearing successful is so toxic, that we readily give up our hopes and dreams in favour of acceptance.

Most people don't have a greater purpose in life beyond achieving what secures their place in society, or in their social circles.

The chase for acceptance or validation is how we die a million deaths in a single lifetime, but rarely live a single wholesome life before death.

Do we even know what a wholesome life feels like between all the distractions and our efforts to appease others?

When was the last time you reconnected with the idealistic teen in you?

If you had to meet your teenage self, would you be proud or disappointed in who you are now?

Or were you already wasted to the peer pressure back then that you've never known a life beyond that?

Today is a good day to reconnect with you.

Don't be like those who only serve others when there's something in it for them.

That's not goodwill or charity, it's business.

Uplifting others should be done because you want them to experience the value that you have in your life - not because you want them to worship you, or to celebrate your praises.

Let's bring sincerity and authenticity back into fashion.

Social media has pretty much killed it.

My sense of self worth can only be established through selfless service to those around me because that is how I choose who I want to be rather than who they deserve me to be.

Whether my contribution is appreciated or not is not what defines me.

But that I contribute, sacrifice and enrich other’s lives willingly is what has always brought joy to me and given me reason to sleep peacefully at night, even if spurned by those whom I serve the most.

Serve because of your conviction in the value that it brings to others, not because of the gratitude or acknowledgement that you need for your service.

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From the archives, but still as relevant as this morning's first breath.