I have been told (in not nice ways) that I am too good ie I have two angels sitting on my shoulders instead of a good and a bad one like they do in cartoons.
I thought that whatever I do, the morals and values instilled in me by my parents were for my own benefit. But some of my colleagues, and the recent moron that I met, think I am boring mainly because I don't have bfs, don't drink, don't club, and will save myself until marriage.
I mean I do hoards of other fun stuff. But am I really missing out? And I really don't think I'm that good...I've done my fair share of experimentation and didn't feel comfortable in myself to adopt it as a lifestyle.
Will I hit a mid-life crisis when I'm 50 for not 'living'?
Personally, I feel there is so much more that one can do that is enriching - reading good books, travelling to new places, hiking, swimming, painting, hanging out with friends over coffee, dinner, watching arty movies...
Am I surrounded by small-minded people? Or am I the one restricting myself?
Cat, you're not alone in feeling this way. Believe it or not I go through some of these issues while negotiating between being a Muslim and also being involved in the secular world. I don't claim to be some angel here but I am damn better than some people on Gupistan and elsewhere, who think that they are holier than thou.
I pray 5 times a day but also go out clubbing, parties with friends, work colleagues. I have never had a drop of alcohol while being out but will dance to my favorite beats. I have more friends that are girls but never dated forget kissing or even touching a girl inappropriately. My parents are much more liberal than I am, so dating, drinking or anything else would be no big deal to them, but my imaan stops me from crossing over to the haram side. So yes, I don't just go to work and come home to pray tahjjud, but my rep at the *Islamic *Center has never been questioned. May be I am a biot materialistic, like my suits and cars, but I also give 12% of my gross income in the name of G-d and do 2 nights at the soup kitchen. I am not a hypocrite becuase i work hard, believe only in G-d and his beloved Messenger Muhammad (PBUH), an treat everyone (Muslim or not) with respect and humanity.
I am not going to step back because I am Muslim. EVERY single rule of Islam is rooted in the scientific inquiry, metaphyics, and logic. So it's NOT difficult for me to follow the rules of Islam - it is something that I embrace.
I usually don't get personal here, but reading your note struck a chord. Keep smiling, stay fly :)