Guilty Leaving My Son?

Today when I was about to leave home to go to work, I met my 4 year old son who was standing outside next to his grandmother. I was greeting him goodbye. He hold my hand and didn’t let it go. He didn’t smile and his eyes and face were upset.

I knew at that time he is missing us being around. I felt guilty at that moment.

If not the necessity to cover the expenses and support my family financially, I would decide to stay home full time and be with my kids.

When feeling guilty, I like to remember this recite from the Holy Book of Quran: “Allah doesn’t charge a soul except within its capacity” in Surat Al Baqara, Aya 286. Look at your human capacity. What you can take and what you can’t take. Look at your cup. How you decide to fill it? What are the things that matter to you and the things that don’t? What resonates best with your inner values and what doesn’t?

Remember your humanity and weakness. Look objectively at the things you can handle and the things you can’t handle. Appreciate your limited capacity. Don’t take on tasks that are more than your existing capacity level. And watch yourself living a meaningful and peaceful life.