How to Avoid Feeling Loss in Life; The Impact of an Eternal Perspective
Have you ever considered how your life might change if you viewed yourself as an eternal being? Can the impact of an eternal perspective on life be overlooked?
Despite the limitations it may seem to impose, how does an eternal perspective differ from a materialistic outlook in shaping our lives?
We all long for a day when, free from the daily struggles and inevitable challenges of life, we can find true happiness and peace. Indeed, we often encounter people who, despite life’s ups and downs, radiate joy and tranquility. At first glance, it might seem hard to believe that a shift in perspective could so profoundly transform our lives. Yet, the truth is that our behaviors, our patience in facing challenges, and even our reactions and interactions in social settings all stem from whether we adopt an eternal or a limited view of life.
In other words, contrary to common belief, an eternal perspective not only influences our spiritual outlook but also brings happiness and peace to our present lives. In this lesson, we aim to explore how an eternal perspective affects our morality, patience, and performance across various aspects of life, and to explain why this mindset leads to greater happiness and peace.
Deprivation of an Eternal Perspective
Much of our sadness and discontent stems from feelings of loss and deprivation we experience in various situations. We may dedicate years to nurturing our families or pursuing endeavors that go unappreciated or unnoticed by others. Sometimes, life’s challenges and problems can unravel years of hard work and effort in an instant. In such moments, the thought that we’ve spent years of our limited time on efforts that yielded no results—or worse, were met with ingratitude—can be deeply painful. This distress can even lead to anxiety, stress, or illness.
These feelings arise when we lack an eternal perspective or, despite knowing we are eternal beings, fail to truly internalize this belief. The sense of loss and deprivation emerges when we forget the existence of a Divine Source of goodness and blessings, instead seeking validation and reward from others who are as limited in their capacity as we are.
A materialistic view of life confines us to a narrow, dependent, and anxiety-ridden framework, where we believe everything begins and ends in this world, and this fleeting life determines our ultimate success or failure. In contrast, a fitrah-oriented, eternal perspective connects us to an infinite horizon where even life’s setbacks and hardships take on meaning. This mindset allows us to see every situation as an opportunity for personal growth and acquisition of Divine Names, viewing life’s losses, failures, and difficulties as reserves for our eternal life.
A Profitable Transaction: The Impact of an Eternal Perspective
In these moments, we encounter an Absolute Existence—Allah—who is self-sufficient and whose every interaction with us is as a compassionate Mentor. Our eternal success does not depend on worldly achievements or outcomes but is tied solely to our pure and sincere intentions, our resemblance to Allah, and the attainment of a sound heart.
Engaging in this divine transaction with God and His eternal system not only frees us from regret but also makes us perpetual victors. It protects us from Satan’s attacks from front and back, bringing joy and peace to our lives. We no longer fear ingratitude or the loss of time and resources invested in others, nor do we feel insecurity about an uncertain future. We are dealing with a generous and recompensing God who has the power to transform all our failures and setbacks into victories. In this divine transaction with a generous and self-sufficient God, the concept of loss becomes meaningless. This perspective grants us the strength to endure and live a peaceful, joyful life even amidst the most severe trials and tribulations. For instance, in the tragedy of Karbala, Lady Zainab (Peace be upon her) saw no loss or regret in the transaction made by Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) and his companions with God; she saw only beauty. If we truly believe that rewards and outcomes are not confined to this world, our struggles and hardships take on a different hue, imbued with purpose and hope.
An Eternal Perspective: The Key to a Joyful and Continuous Life
As mentioned, the concept of loss or waste is meaningless in the presence of an All-Powerful God, who, with His beneficence and mercy, can compensate for all our hardships and transform our worldly failures into favorable outcomes in the hereafter. We typically become angry or upset when faced with the illusion of losing something. However, if this illusion is dispelled—if there is no sense of waste, and even our smallest positive actions are accounted for—there is no reason for distress or anger. Moreover, our laziness, lack of motivation, feelings of emptiness, anger, or irritability often stem from forgetting the hereafter and lacking an eternal perspective. In other words, these feelings arise from a worldview that sees only “this world” and is oblivious to “eternity.”
If we stop viewing worldly life as an independent entity and instead interpret it as part of an eternal continuum, no moment of hesitation or wasted time holds meaning for us. Just as a fetus is constantly developing and preparing for life in this world, we, too, are perpetually evolving and becoming in the womb of the world. Any entanglement or lingering in mistakes slows or halts our progress toward the hereafter, resulting only in harm and loss. Liberation from such harm is only possible through adopting an eternal perspective.
In essence, an eternal perspective leads us to set our purpose and ultimate goal beyond this world, preparing ourselves for an eternal system. To benefit from the system of the hereafter, we must align ourselves with its conditions, which can only be cultivated in the womb of the world. Focusing on an eternal truth naturally frees us from the constraints of fleeting and limited worldly affairs. With God’s presence, we embody a free and independent character, needing no flattery or gratitude from others. We do not slow our forward momentum by awaiting appreciation or recognition. Thus, we not only move toward a radiant future in the hereafter but also experience joy and peace in this world.