Imagine you're at home, or at work, or out somewhere...

...it's almost lunch time and something reminds you that the time for prayer (Dhuhr in this case) has come.

Perhaps it's a notification on your phone from your prayer app, or someone else simply reminds you that it's time to pray...

In that exact moment, what emotion or feeling do you have? What is your gut reaction?

I call this initial reaction: Your First Thought.

In my experience, most people don't actually take the time to think about, or process, how they feel when 'salat time' has arrived.

But I want you to give attention to Your First Thought the next time you realize that the time for prayer has come.

Why?

Because there's a direct correlation between Your First Thought and how you're going to approach and do that prayer.

How you think  ➜  How you feel  ➜  How you do

For example, if Your First Thought is something like:

Not again! I'm busy. I wish I didn't have to do this right now. It's inconvenient and a burden.

We've all been there, haven't we? :)

Step 2: Those initial thoughts about prayer will naturally create negative feelings towards prayer, such as:

Frustration. Anger. Dislike.

Step 3: And these negative feelings will affect your behavior - how you approach and do prayer:

- You might rush through your prayer
- You may delay prayer and do it at the last minute
- You may miss your prayer altogether

On the other side, of course, Your First Thought could be quite positive, something like:

Finally! I've been looking forward to this. Prayer is such a blessing.

Step 2: Those initial thoughts about prayer will naturally create positive feelings towards prayer, such as:

Gratitude. Relief. Happiness.

Step 3: And based on these positive feelings, you will likely:

- Pray sooner rather than later
- Be more present and feel more connected in prayer

You see how it all works together?

Finally, you could be someone who doesn't feel particularly negative or positive about salat...

Perhaps you pray five times a day mainly because it's an obligation. You know you should / have to. So you fulfill the obligation when it's time to do so.

It's just something you do every day, like brushing your teeth...

You do it because you wouldn't feel right if you didn't do it.

So prayer could be a neutral thing for you, neither here nor there.

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Now, here's the practical takeaway for you from all this...

1. From now on, whenever the time for prayer comes, be aware of Your First Thought...

Is it positive, negative or neutral?

Be honest with yourself.

2. If it's negative or neutral, then think about how to shift Your First Thought to being more positive...

Get it from negative to at least neutral. And if it's neutral, then get it to positive.

How?

That's exactly what I'll be sharing with you in tomorrow's email: the number one tip to build a more positive relationship with prayer.

For now, focus on the first part: simply being aware of Your First Thought when the time for prayer comes.

Do it for the next five prayers. And also ask yourself: why is that my initial thought?