Caught Between the Moment and Eternity
Many things prevent me from fully embracing the moment. Perhaps I’ve never truly lived one moment to its fullest—never exploited it to its essence, never saved something eternal from the fleeting shadow of time.
What should I save? My children or the heavens and earth? The answer feels obvious: save the children. The heavens and earth will detach as they came together, leaving no commentary, no explanation.
In this tension, I wonder: who do I serve? Who do I save? Am I Abram, choosing between Chelsea or West Ham, between the great champion or the lost princess? A coach, a guide, a visionary—but for whom?
The Battle Between Work and the Soul
“I don’t work for you,” I want to shout at the forces that pull me away from my family, from myself. These forces of darkness—distractions, doubts, the ceaseless grind—what do they want from me? I have nothing left to give them.
My work bothers her. She bothers me. We tangle, snake-like, until one of us must win.
And yet, amidst the struggle, there’s duty. Work calls, life demands, choices pile up.
The Echo of Everyday Labor
“Break soon, Abu Tawfiq’s kid is getting married today,” says the voice in my mind—a memory, a fragment of a conversation. Work and life intertwine, and the weight of duty presses down.
It’s a universal scene: balancing the mundane against the monumental. Weddings, births, responsibilities—all jostling for space in a life already too crowded.
Who stays to work? Who goes to celebrate? Choices must be made, and every decision feels like a loss.
Balancing Responsibility and Presence
Life is a constant negotiation between what must be done and what should be done. Between the call of the moment and the pull of responsibility.
- Embrace the Moment
Saving the children, cherishing their laughter, their presence—this is the eternal work that transcends time. - Acknowledge the Struggle
The forces pulling you away aren’t always external. Doubts, fears, and distractions live within, and they must be faced with honesty. - Honor the Mundane
Work, weddings, daily life—they all have their place. Finding balance is an act of faith, not perfection. - Choose What Matters
Not every battle needs to be fought, and not every moment needs to be perfect. Choose what aligns with your purpose and let go of the rest.
The Call to Be Present
In the end, we’re all trying to save something—our work, our families, ourselves. The weight of these choices can feel overwhelming, but within them lies the opportunity to live meaningfully.
Perhaps there is no perfect way forward, no single answer to the questions we carry. But as we navigate the tension between the moment and eternity, let us remember:
We are not here to be perfect. We are here to be present.
Written by Wa Alikum Salam, Immigrant.