THE SERENITY LETTER | NO. 05

Not Everything Needs Your Attention Right Now

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I have noticed something about myself: when there are several things that need my attention, I can start carrying all of them in my head at the same time.

Something needs to be done for work. There is a message I need to respond to. Something at home needs sorting out. There is an idea I don't want to forget. Someone needs something from me. And somewhere in between all of that, I remember something else I should probably have done already.

None of these things may be particularly overwhelming on their own. But when I mentally hold all of them at once, everything begins to feel urgent.

And when everything feels urgent, it becomes difficult to be fully present with anything.

I have had days when I was doing one thing while already thinking about the next three. I was physically present, but my mind had moved on. Even during moments that should have been restful, part of me was still going through what hadn't been done.

I don't think the answer is always better organisation.

Sometimes I genuinely need to remind myself that something can matter without needing my attention right now.

That has been an important distinction for me.

There are responsibilities I cannot ignore. There are people who deserve my time and attention. There are things that really do need to be handled promptly.

But not everything belongs in this moment.

An unanswered message can wait while I pray.

Tomorrow's work does not always need to occupy tonight.

An idea can be written down instead of being mentally carried for the rest of the day.

And sometimes the thing I am worried about cannot actually be solved by thinking about it for another hour.

I am still learning this.

There are days when I manage it well and days when I catch myself trying to mentally live several hours or several days ahead of where I actually am.

But I am beginning to appreciate the peace that comes from asking a much smaller question:

What requires me now?

Not this week. Not eventually. Not everything I am responsible for.

Just now.

There is something grounding about remembering that Allah has only placed me in this present moment. I can plan for tomorrow and prepare for what is ahead, but I cannot live tomorrow before it arrives.

And perhaps part of trusting Allah is also accepting that I don't have to hold everything at once.

I can give proper attention to what is in front of me, do what I am able to do, and leave what belongs to another time for another time.

I don't always get that right.

But when I do, life feels a little less like something I am constantly trying to catch up with, and more like something I am actually present enough to live.

A Du‘a for Us

May Allah place barakah in our time and give us wisdom to recognise what truly needs our attention.

May He help us fulfil our responsibilities without allowing them to consume our hearts, make us present for the people and moments He has entrusted to us, and grant us peace with what can wait.

May He teach us to do what is ours to do and trust Him with everything beyond it.

Ameen.

Until the next letter,

Khadeejah

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Ottawa, ON K2J 5W7
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