Blessings in the Little Things: In Pursuit of Heartwork to a More Meaningful and Intentional Life

by Roedah Mansour

Life may feel mundane when we do the same routine every single day. What used to give us joy and purpose have turned into things that numb us. The heart is filled with bleakness.

But when we look around us, it seems everyone else is living their version of life that we dreamed of. One that is filled with colours, excitement and meaning — as though their life is filled with blessings.

We begin to feel empty thinking all the things we’ve done before amount to nothing. And so we begin to live aimlessly, directionless and without meaning.

Is there a way to revive this heart that is slowly beating to its demise? Is there a way to fill the void, overcome the frustration find the beauty in little things again?

In her debut book, author Roedah Mansour takes us on a journey of “heartwork” – of tending to the heart, of setting it to cultivate its connection to its Creator, of combining passion with purpose and of honouring one’s faith.

Turn back and call out to the One who changes hearts. The best of planners. Know that His promise will reach you and do not live half of a life.

Genres: Islam, Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality

187 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2024

Reviews

[Qayiem Razali · Rating 5 out of 5]

23/2024

-Blessings in the Little Things
-Roedah Mansour

Selepas buku Fragile Heart, buku BITLT karya Roedah Mansour saya kira merupakan sebuah lagi karya 'masterpiece' berbahasa Inggeris daripada rumah penerbitan Iman Publications. Bahasa digunakan mudah difahami dan paling penting setiap ayat yang dikarang memberi kesan mendalam pada diri saya sebagai pembaca.

Dalam hidup ini, kita terlalu mengharapkan hal hal yang besar untuk terjadi sehingga kita lupa perkara sekecil kecil melihat kawanan burung terbang atau orak air di sungai yang mengalir tenang sebenarnya memberi tujuan yang besar dalam hidup. Kita sering terlupa pada hal hal remeh terutama saat kita berdepan dengan ujian.

Untuk mereka yang hatinya sedang diuji, buku Blessings In The Little Things ini wajar dijadikan sebagai salah satu naskhah pengubat jiwa atau boleh dijadikan sebagai naskhah #RamadanReading anda.

[Husna Rosli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep coming to this book when I need it. It's a good comfort book, must have at every home

[Iris Ymra · Rating 5 out of 5]

'...there is never a perfect time to seek change, to make a difference. There is only now.'

'It is entirely okay to be in the process of finding out.'

'...what awaits me is sweeter than the bitterness of longing.'

____

This book resonates deep down with me, validates me, and comforts me. It speaks of words I never thought I needed, not until I came across them and my tears weren't shy to just flow down my cheeks. It felt like an embrace to my tired self, all this while trying to figure out life as a person and mostly as a Muslim. Now, it's just the matter of whether I'll take the first step -- I am hopeful in this.

Thank you; for this book came at the very right time with how I was doing at the moment.

Ps. I tab so many sentences in this book, it surely told something.

[th. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad to have read this. And I’m thankful it’s the first book I’ve managed to finished this year after such a long ~2ish year block.

Since I was already a Roedah’s subscriber, it felt like reading her youtube reflections :)

Also sometimes it feels like this is what I thought I’m doing with my own writing (but obviously i’m not to this level yet haha).

There were a number of BEAUTIFUL sentences I loved. I’ll hold on to that.

A lovely read. I’m thankful I did.

[Syafiqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for writing with openness and vulnerability. This book is like a friend trying and helping to console your heart.

[Nanadhoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating sebenar: 4.0/5.0⭐️

If suka baca buku by Ayesha, probably you will like this book too

[andarrzek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of comfort 🩵

[Alaa (Kutub.Qahwa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's as if the author peered into my soul. I felt every part of this book

[Nur Alyaa Atikah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author puts the sub titles in the content list to 2 parts - it's as if she's writing a poem & giving out bits of advice to the readers.

I also love how the Arabic word 'niyyah' is emphasised in both front and back cover, where it showcases what the book is about indirectly - what exactly your purpose is in doing something. P/S: The bird adds a cute touch to the book, too!

If you're feeling doubtful, uncertain or lost in how your direction towards life as a whole, this book is for you <3

#BlessingsInLittleThings #pursuitofheartwork

[NUR ZUHAILI · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's okay of we aren't where we want to be. If your biggest win this year was staying alive, re-learning yourself, remembering your heart, that's a win."

Sometimes
We just need to slow down
See things at the miniscule level
For us to learn to appreciate
Those little things in life
Like our beating hearts
The warmth of sun kissing our cheeks,
The smile of strangers that we met,
The laugh that we share,
The mundane things that we did with our loved ones.

It was those little things,
That color our life more.

"It is when you begin to seek Allah in every nook and cranny, that you remember His signs and find wonder in the smallest details.."

[anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is pretty, so so pretty. From the cover, illustration and the author's way with words. However, I feel like everything is touched superficially, and in a vague way ㅡ most probably intentionally so the readers can read it and interpret it from their own point of views and perspectives. This approach however made me feel disconnected to the book, and I left with nothing that I can remember nor apply in my life. I don't think it's bad per se, I just think that maybe the book's target audience is not me.

[Syeraho · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a bad book, it is a good book to read undoubtfully.

It's just not my cup of tea. I find this writing quite vague and fleeting, hence not to my liking.

However, if you're a reader who love to indulge with books that similar to the writing you'd get from newsletters, slice of life sharing, and touch everyday little things and struggles, then this book is for you.

[atinonthecloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book after my reading slump. I have been feeling empty during the time I was buying this book. I feel like there is no fun in my life as my daily routines are repetitive and the same. I’m started to wonder if this was the life that I want and I encountered this book during Pesta Buku in KL. The writing is easy to understand as the author using simple sentences for me to read. The intakes from this book is that, this world will always be the place of hardships for us and in order to survive is to connect every little things happened in your life as a way to remembering Allah. Always put it as a way to get close to Allah and I think it’s true because the emptiness in my heart is only getting bigger when I was searching for worldly pleasure and matters. It may bring happiness to me but it’s not gonna last longer. I rated it 4 stars because I think in term of touching my heart and soul, I still ponder about a lot of things.

[Filzah Aliah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took interest in finishing this book after reading the title and the snapshot. Maybe I have too high expectation of the content of this book might deliver, I was left disappointed.

The content of this book touched my soul, but barely on the surface. In the beginning of the book I was looking for the guides to live an intentional life but couldn’t find it. The guides are dispersed throughout the book, not in a clear manner and some chapters seem to be repetitive.

I may not like the way this book is arranged, but otherwise the message is always beneficial.

There are some phrases in the book that stayed with me and will become a constant reminder for me to always strive to live an intentional and meaningful life.

#blessingsinthelittlethings
#pursuitofheartwork

[◒ rö ◒ · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading my own work and giving it five stars is a cheeky move, but I’ve taken note on all that I wish I’d done differently and put it in a box for myself to think about later. for now, I’m just here to say thank God. I’m glad to have been able to put something out there that feels true to me and can serve as a reminder to myself (and anyone reading it) that there are always blessings in the little things. to take it easy. that things get better. it’s a much more general collection of writing but I do hope it touches hearts wherever it may go.

[Nadee · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I got from reading this book is that sometimes we forget to look at and appreciate all those little things in our lives. This book reminds me to look around. It's always the little things that will color our memory. If you start living for the little things, that's when you know that you're loved, your life has so many things to be grateful for, and your life is actually wonderful.

[Shine Imani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cover buku memang menawan, suka sangat. 💛
Penuh dengan ayat yang memujuk & mendamaikan ribut jiwa.

Cuma rasa banyak sangat pengulangan isi, membuatkan saya rasa jemu & procrastinate nak habiskan. Bahasa Inggerisnya moderate. Kena buka kamus bila baca, sebab ada banyak jargon (vocab kitanya biasa² ja).

Moga penulis boleh expand & widen the horizon untuk karya seterusnya. Allah yuftah alayk!

[Aina Hazim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75/10

A very good book. I love her approach in writing and her writing is so beatiful and delicate. A reall good book for beginners and those who are feeling lost. Would like to read more books from her!

[Fatin Kamalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a poignant and tearful read!! I cried so much because it just resonates with me and because of that, I legit have so many tabs. Flipping through the tabbed pages again was enough to make me feel so much indescribable feelings inside.

[Shamey Kassim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a comfort book, brings healing to your soul and is raw and authentic in the best way. This book feels like sitting down with your best friend and a cup of tea and having a heart to heart.

[Laila Benehir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have words for how much comfort this has brought me. My favorite part was finding heart. Roedah has a very lyrical way with her craft and I am sad we haven’t seen more from her yet.

[Rosli Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like a drink to a man stranded in the desert for me. It came right in time and the words in this book are amazing to someone like me. Light in darkness even for me.

[Monique Inthasone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of comfort and familiarity. Feels like a day chatting with your best friend on a sunny day at the park.

[Wawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the illustrations in this books. It is pleasing to see while reading across the chapters. Overall this book is for a comfort read.

[Tashakilaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My comfort book. A must read book for everyone i swear

[neeza zainal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that this book is like a memoir but not self-bragging.
Easy read. Simple english.

[Arini F Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read. Can relate to it to everything in my life which makes it even more uplifting!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended! One of my favourite books for "heartwork".

[asmaatj_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the comforting words ✨ life is all about the”heartwork”, and I got so much comfort reading her words - that the state of brokenness is no other but a testament of our imperfection as His best creation.

[Hasliza Rajab · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I choose to do what nourishes my soul. To grow. To go where my wonder guides me, to find His light in all that surrounds me. To slow down and breath".

We live in a world where everything is in a fast pace. We don't look back anymore. And most of the time, we took things for granted along the journey and we have no time to appreciate small things that exist in our lives.

The smile of the strangers,
The calm breeze air in the morning,
The smooth driving to work,
The help we received from others,
The food prepared on the table,
A cup of tea from a friend/colleagues,

All of these, we forgot to be grateful for. We tend to let it pass and we do not take a pause to ponder upon...all of these all the blessings from Him.

This book encourages us to take a moment, to do a little reflect in life...so that we can appreciate and be grateful for every small things that appeared and passed by our lives.