Embrace The Process
When I was at Al-Azhar, my teacher taught me how to wrap the turban you see in this picture.
At first, I started wrapping it, hoping I could make it look nice from the start. However, that is not how it works. “If you want it to look nice, then start with the cloth looking disheveled. Work with it. Wrap it. Slowly, it will begin to look nice. Then, shape it, tighten it, and tuck it at the top. After that, you’ll see.”
What I learned from that was a lesson that stays with me to this day: things rarely start out perfect; it’s usually the opposite. But, with hard work, embracing the process, and staying focused, I could get close to my goal.
Most people don’t see things that way. They want quick success. But starting out with an unfinished product builds passion, conviction, appreciation, and maturity.
Embrace the wrinkly cloth, and each wrap as a step towards your goal. Break down success, and follow the steps that lead you to it. One day, your struggle will be a beautiful turban.