The Sacred Call to Look Beyond Ourselves

The Sacred Call to Look Beyond Ourselves

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Life, huh? It's like a never-ending marathon sometimes. We’re all just trying to get through the day, juggling work, relationships, and responsibilities, hoping we don’t forget anything important. Ever had those days when you’re constantly running from task to task, only to collapse into bed and wonder, “Did I even do anything meaningful today?” Yeah, me too.

In all the hustle and bustle, it’s so easy to lose sight of the people around us, right? We get caught up in our stuff, and don’t get me wrong, sometimes it feels overwhelming. But I think there’s something deeper, a little voice, maybe even the voice of the Creator, whispering, “Look up. Just look up for a second. See beyond yourself.”

There’s an ancient teaching that says, “Look not only to your interests but also to the interests of others.” I used to hear that and think it was pretty straightforward, but the older I get, the more I realize how counterintuitive it is. I mean, most of the time, we’re all in survival mode. It’s like, “I’ve got my problems; I don’t have time to deal with anyone else’s.” But I believe there’s this sacred call, an invitation from the Creator, if you will, to pause and see the people around us. And when we do that, something powerful happens.

You see, the Creator didn’t design us to go through life alone, chasing after individual goals and keeping our heads down. We were made to thrive in community, to love and support one another. And here's the kicker: when we take the time to put others first, even when we’re exhausted or overwhelmed, we’re tapping into something much bigger than ourselves. We’re aligning with the heart of the Creator, and in that alignment, we find a kind of fulfillment that nothing else can offer.

Let me tell you a quick story. A few years ago, I was going through a rough patch. I felt drained emotionally, physically, spiritually. You name it. My world was falling apart. I remember waking up one morning, just staring at the ceiling, thinking, “I’ve got nothing left to give.” Then, out of nowhere, I got a call from a friend, Mark. He needed someone to talk to. At first, I was like, “Really? Of all days, today?” But something in me, maybe it was the Creator nudging me, said, “Just listen. Show up.” So I did.

For the next hour, I didn’t say much. I just let him talk. And as I listened to him unload all his worries and stresses, something shifted inside me. By the time we hung up, I felt lighter. And that’s when it hit me: when we show up for others, we’re not just giving—we’re receiving. The Creator fills us up in those moments. It’s this divine exchange that happens when we stop focusing on our problems and start paying attention to someone else. And trust me, it’s real. I’ve experienced it firsthand.

Now, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Oh no, it’s not always easy. Some days, you’re going through your storm, and the last thing you want to do is think about someone else’s problems. I’ve had days where I’ve been so overwhelmed, I could barely get out of bed. In moments like that, it’s easy to say, “I can’t help anyone right now. I need to focus on me.” And sometimes, yes, we do need to care for ourselves. But I’ve learned something about humility.

Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself—it’s about thinking of yourself less. It’s recognizing that, yes, you have your struggles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also be there for someone else. It’s often in those moments when we feel like we have nothing to give that we discover just how much we have. The Creator never leaves us empty-handed. When we step outside of our bubble, even for just a moment, we tap into a well of strength we didn’t know we had.

Another story comes to mind. I was completely overwhelmed. Work was stressful, family stuff was piling up, bills were overdue, and it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I was praying, asking the Creator for some kind of relief, some way out of the mess I was in. I felt like I was sinking. Then, completely out of the blue, a friend called. He wasn’t in crisis or anything; he just needed someone to talk to. Now, I could’ve easily ignored the call. But I didn’t. Something told me, “Just listen.”

And you know what? That conversation changed my entire perspective. Listening to him, helping him sort through his thoughts, reminded me that I wasn’t alone. It was as if the Creator was saying, “See? Even in your lowest moments, you can still be a light to someone else. And in doing that, I’ll be a light to you.” That’s the thing about the Creator—the help we seek often comes in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, it’s not in the form of a direct solution, but in the opportunity to serve someone else. And in serving, we’re served. It’s this beautiful, cyclical relationship that keeps us connected to the divine flow of love and grace.

But here’s something important: showing up for others doesn’t always have to be this grand, heroic gesture. Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness make the biggest difference. I remember one day I was feeling particularly low, and a random stranger just smiled at me as I walked down the street. It was such a simple thing, but it changed my entire mood. That tiny act of kindness reminded me that I wasn’t invisible, that someone saw me, even if just for a moment. And isn’t that what we all need sometimes? To be seen, to be acknowledged?

I think that’s what the Creator asks of us, not necessarily to solve every problem or carry everyone’s burdens, but to be present. To offer a smile, a kind word, a listening ear. Those small moments of connection remind us that we’re all part of something bigger and that we’re not walking through life alone. And let’s be honest, we all need that reminder from time to time.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying it’s easy to always put others first. Sometimes, it feels downright impossible. But I’ve found that the moments when it feels hardest are often the moments when it matters most. There’s a spiritual depth that comes from choosing to look beyond yourself, especially when everything in you is screaming, “Focus on me!”

You know what I’ve learned? The more we practice this, this act of looking out for others, of stepping outside of ourselves, the more natural it becomes. At first, it might feel like a stretch, like we’re being asked to give more than we have. But the Creator has a way of replenishing us, of giving us exactly what we need to keep going. It’s almost like the more we give, the more we receive. It’s one of those divine mysteries that doesn’t make sense on paper but feels undeniably true when we live it.

I want to share something a little personal. There was a time in my life when I was struggling with a lot of resentment. I felt like I was constantly giving, constantly pouring out, but no one seemed to notice or appreciate it. I began to withdraw, thinking, “Why should I keep giving if no one cares?” But then, in one of my quiet moments with the Creator, I felt this deep conviction: “You’re not giving for them—you’re giving for Me.” That changed everything. Suddenly, it wasn’t about getting recognition or praise from others. It was about honoring the Creator, about participating in the divine act of love.

And here’s the thing—when we shift our perspective like that, everything changes. It’s no longer about keeping score or making sure everything is fair. It’s about trusting that the Creator sees what we’re doing, even when no one else does. It’s about knowing that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is part of something much bigger than ourselves.

When we live with that mindset, life becomes richer. It’s not about how far we get ahead or how much we accomplish—it’s about how much love we leave behind. It’s about the connections we make, the people we lift, and the times we choose kindness over convenience. The Creator sees it all. And I truly believe that when we honor others, we’re honoring the Creator. We’re reflecting the divine love that flows through all of us.

So, here’s my challenge—to myself and anyone reading this: let’s make a little more room for each other. Let’s not just focus on our own needs and struggles. Let’s take the time to ask, “Who around me needs to be seen today? How can I make someone’s load just a little bit lighter?” Because when we do that, we’re not just being good people—we’re participating in the Creator’s grand design. We’re living out the purpose we were created for to love and to serve.

And in the end, that’s what matters. Not how much we accomplished or how many boxes we checked off our to-do list, but how many hearts we touched along the way. How many people did we lift when they were down? How much love we spread in a world that desperately needs it.

That’s the legacy that lasts. And that’s the kind of life I want to live.