A letter to my future self five years from now

Arranging unspoken ambitions for the following 5 years

Dear Future Self,

As I sit down to write this letter, my heart is heavy with the weight of the present. The world around me feels unforgiving, each day more challenging than the last. I am surrounded by uncertainty, and the road ahead appears daunting, with no clear end in sight. In these moments, I find myself turning inward, seeking relief in words. I can only hope this letter will reach you, my future self. You have walked this path and emerged on the other side.

I wonder, have you found the peace that eludes me now? Have you achieved the goals that seem so distant from where I stand? The dreams of the income you pursued, a home filled with warmth, and the quiet contentment of a life well-lived—are they now your reality? I can just imagine you surrounded by the love of family, your heart at ease, your spirit at peace. I hope you’ve found the joy that once felt so out of reach, the fulfillment that seemed like a distant star.

Yet, as I sit here in the depth of my struggles, I can’t help but question what it all truly means. What is the measure of success? Is it found in the accumulation of wealth, the security of material possessions, or the fleeting moments of happiness we so desperately chase? Or is there something deeper, something eternal, that lies beyond the surface of this world?

The life I lead now has taught me many hard lessons. I’ve learned that everything has its limits—our strength, our time, our trust. I’ve learned the danger of overreaching, of placing too much faith in the impermanent and the unreliable. But these lessons, painful as they are, have also brought me closer to a truth I was once blind to.

As I sit in the quiet of the mosque after the Noon prayer, I find a moment of clarity among the chaos. This world, with all its trials and tribulations, is nothing more than a fleeting shadow. What truly matters is not the wealth we accumulate, nor the accolades we collect, but the state of our soul and the closeness we cultivate with the Divine. The ultimate goal is not in this world but in the next—the life that begins after we leave this temporary existence. Remember, it's the faith and the love for the Divine that will keep you grounded and connected.

So, I ask you, my future self: How close have you come to the Source of all creation? How often have you turned to the One who never turns away? Have you spent your days in the pursuit of what truly matters, or have you allowed the distractions of this world to lead you astray? The answers to these questions are the measure of your success, far beyond the fleeting gains of this life.

And what of your family? Have you cherished them as they deserve, provided for them with a heart full of gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon you? The provision of the Divine is abundant, yet it is so easy to overlook the beauty of what we have in pursuit. Remember, the care and love you give to your family are acts of worship, and they, too, are part of the path to the eternal.

As you read these words, I hope you have lived with purpose, using your time wisely, striving not just for success here but for the everlasting success that awaits those who remain steadfast in their faith. You are here for a limited time; may you use that time to prepare for the day when you stand before your Creator.

Until we meet, may you continue to walk the path with grace and wisdom.

With hope and prayers,
Your Past Self