The New Cool

We've all watched a movie that takes place in high school, where there's the "cool" crowd and the social rejects. The whole movie is sometimes about how the social rejects try to be a part of the cool crowd (For example: Grease, Princes Diaries, Sierra Burgess is a Loser, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, etc, etc). Although real life isn't typically this dramatic, social 'classes' exist. They exist in high school, and don't necessarily disappear as you grow older.

A quick google search gives us a few definitions of "cool." I'll summarize them here.

1. a low temperature

2. to show no enthusiasm for certain things, people or ideas

3. calmness

4. popular or in style

The definitions are quite different. I'm going to focus on definition number 4, because that's the definition we think about when we think about the "cool crowd." Below are some photos of what it was like to be "cool" in the 1970's and 2000's.

The photos are pretty different right? So what I'm trying to show you is that what is "cool" changes over time. If your goal is to be "cool" then every few years you're going to have to change! That's literally crazy - to be accepted by other people you have to constantly realign your own sense of self to align with other people's definitions of what's "cool." Cool isn't just a sense of style, but it can be how you talk and what you do.

The "cool people" may appear to be the most good looking, the funniest, the best dressed, most charming and intelligent crowd. Being cool though isn't about being the "best," it's about being socially accepted. Sometimes to be socially accepted you have to do what the other popular kids are doing - go to prom, go to parties, drink, flirt, and maybe carry yourself in a way that is un-Islamic.

I want to reinvent cool for you. Cools is being yourself, being confident, and being proud of your heritage, religion, body, talents, personality, and being. Cool is being unapologetic about your Islam, knowing that being a good Muslim will allow you to live you beautiful and pure life, and grant you Jennah - the ultimate reward. Cool is having self respect and not degrading yourself to certain actions and habits to be accepted by others. From personal experience, I can tell you that if you focus on the important values growing up, you will be thankful for making the decisions you did when you were younger. These decision will impact your future self.

So go ahead - be cool. Be an amazing Muslim, student, daughter, sister, and friend. Have integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic. Redefine cool - you'll find that people will respect you for it.