DISCLAIMER: TRUE SUCCESS IS IN THE AFTERLIFE, AND I’M USING THIS WORD TO MEAN A FEELING OF ACHIEVEMENT.
When you live from a mind based consciousness, relying on your senses and using the mind to explain and experience your life, you’re only ever living in the past or the future. Until you develop the ‘one day syndrome.’
One day when I … then I can finally be … (You may fill the blanks with whatever suits you)
But it turns out that one day never comes. It may, but by then, you’ll have a new ‘one day’ to chase after, and it goes on.
After many trials and tribulations, I came to the realization that to live successfully I didn’t need to be at the destination. I only needed :
1- To have an ideal that I progress towards
2- To have Takwah ( God consciousness )
Since I, like all creation, am an imperfect being. My inner self constantly demands transformation. So when I avoid or stifle it, because of laziness, distraction or fear of failure, I only suffer more. But the moment I start progressing towards a higher standard of character or even just a material aim. Everything inside me is alight with the desire to be transformed. So I find my heart, my mind, and the whole universe conspiring to help me achieve it.
What makes it long-lasting and fulfilling, is dedicating your efforts to pleasing Allah. The purification of my intention purifies the action itself. And the need to please my creator, stands as a reminder and motivator to achieve my aim and stay steadfast in creating positive change within and beyond.
So in reality right now, you may be successful. Even if your material reality says otherwise. Because no matter the riches you own, there will always be more to achieve, more to become. The epitome of the imperfect human life remains the same for us all. In this dunya, we are sculptors who have a need to sculpt ourselves and our environments for the sake of Allah and with his aid. Believing that he will shape us into everything we dream of becoming until the day we can return to him.
It’s freeing to let go of the ‘one day syndrome’. To become present. To allow myself to notice my aspirations being realised and then remoulded to something new. And detaching my fulfillment from anything except my constant movement towards the light.
“By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance. “
“وَٱلْعَصْرِ ١ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ٢ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ٣ ” Surah Al-Asr