The Wisdom of Not Complaining
Written by Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
At 46, I’ve arrived at a profound understanding of what my grandmother meant when she declared, “I won’t complain.” In my youth, I often thought she was peculiar for enduring life’s burdens without a murmur of discontent. I would sit beside her, witnessing her tackle challenges that seemed too monumental for any single soul, and I struggled to grasp her perspective. “Why not just change your surroundings, Granny? Why remain in a situation that causes so much distress?” I thought the solution was straightforward: pack your bags and leave the troubles behind. Yet now, years later, I see that mere relocation doesn’t resolve anything.
The issue isn't the environment; it's us. We are the ones who need to shift not from one place to another but toward a deeper connection with our Creator. This kind of movement is an internal journey, a quest to reach a higher plane of understanding and a richer frequency of communion. It is only through this inward exploration that clarity begins to emerge. My grandmother understood this truth. She recognized that the challenges of the world have no lasting answers in the physical or material realm.
For many years, I was blind to this wisdom. I clung to the belief that altering something on the outside be it a job, a relationship, or even my living situation would bring me the serenity I yearned for. Yet each time I attempted to change my circumstances, I found myself back where I began, trapped in an unending cycle. This realization was both frustrating and disheartening. But eventually, I understood that the key to our dilemmas lies not in the external world but within our relationship with the Creator.
In my past, I equated problem-solving with finding the right external remedy. Whether it was more financial stability, a more favorable situation, or a new setting, I believed the solution was something I could pursue or acquire. However, I have come to recognize that these fixes are merely temporary band-aids for deeper wounds. When we chase after material or physical solutions, we invariably find ourselves caught in the same endless loop, repeating cycles without any genuine advancement.
My grandmother’s resilience stemmed from a profound awareness. She was in tune with her purpose and her connection to the divine, and from that deep knowing, she discovered peace. She didn’t feel the need to escape her surroundings because she had already elevated her spirit to a loftier realm. Her environment didn’t dictate her happiness or her tranquility the Creator did. That insight is something I have only begun to truly embrace.
The trials we encounter the struggles, the disappointments, the heartache carry inherent purpose. However, this purpose can’t be dissected through quick fixes or surface-level solutions. It reveals itself only through our bond with the Creator. When we align ourselves with that divine source, when we step into our intended path and connect with the universe's higher frequency, that’s when the pieces of life’s puzzle start to fall into place. That’s when clarity emerges.
I once thought that movement meant physically distancing myself from discomfort. Yet, I’ve realized that the true movement, the genuine shift, occurs within us. When we draw closer to the Creator, when we ascend to a higher spiritual frequency, the world around us begins to harmonize. We cease feeling like we’re swimming upstream against the currents of life and instead start to glide with them.
Reflecting on my grandmother’s life now, I perceive her strength through a fresh lens. She refrained from complaining because she understood that grumbling would not alter her situation. She had learned that peace does not stem from the absence of challenges but from being anchored in something far more significant than life’s tribulations. She recognized that no matter how fierce the storms, her bond with the Creator was steadfast.
Today, I hold that same realization close to my heart. Complaining achieves nothing. It diverts our focus away from solutions and toward problems. And the real answers are not found in the material world they reside in the divine. They lie in aligning our lives with the purpose that the Creator has set for us. Once we embark on that journey, everything else tends to fall into place.
It’s taken me many years to grasp this profound truth, but now I see clearly. Simply changing our surroundings does not solve anything unless we are moving closer to the Creator. It’s not merely about shifting our external circumstances; it’s about transforming the state of our souls. When we elevate ourselves to that higher realm, when we tune into the divine frequency, we stop getting ensnared in repetitive cycles. We break free from the loop, and our lives begin to unfold with purpose, peace, and clarity.
Thus, I refuse to complain. Not anymore. Because I have learned that the solution is not in the external world but within the Creator who dwells in my heart.
As I navigate this journey of self-discovery, I’ve also uncovered the immense power of our thoughts. When we fixate on the negatives—the hardships, the adversities we inadvertently give them life and space to flourish. It’s akin to nurturing the weeds in our garden instead of tending to the vibrant flowers that symbolize our aspirations and dreams. My grandmother grasped this concept intuitively. She often reminded me, “If you can’t change it, change how you perceive it.”
This shift in viewpoint is transformative. It compels us to seek the silver linings and the lessons hidden within our struggles. Every challenge we face can be seen as an opportunity for growth, a moment to deepen our understanding and strengthen our bond with the divine. Rather than allowing our circumstances to dictate our emotional states, we can choose to rise above them, focusing instead on the love, support, and wisdom that flows from our Creator.
A vivid memory comes to mind that illustrates this beautifully. I once found myself overwhelmed by a series of setbacks, feeling as though I were sinking in despair. Seeking solace, I took a walk to clear my mind and find peace in nature. As I strolled, I stumbled upon a small stream. The water flowed effortlessly over the stones, carving its own path despite the obstacles in its way. In that moment, it struck me that life is remarkably similar to that stream. We can either resist the flow, struggling against the current, or we can embrace it, allowing ourselves to be carried toward our destiny.
From that day onward, I began to view my challenges as integral parts of a greater narrative, much like the rocks in the stream enhance its beauty. I learned to express gratitude for each trial, recognizing that they were molding me into the person I was meant to become. My grandmother’s wisdom echoed in my thoughts, urging me to keep my heart open and my spirit resilient.
This shift in mindset has profoundly influenced my life. No longer do I squander energy on complaints or lamenting my circumstances. Instead, I channel that energy into gratitude and purposeful action. I actively seek ways to align myself with the Creator’s will, trusting that I am on the right path, even when the journey becomes challenging.
As I continue this inward exploration, I find strength in community. Sharing our struggles and victories with others nurtures connection and encourages collective upliftment. I am reminded of the wisdom of a teacher who once said, “We are all interconnected; we are threads woven into the same tapestry.” This sense of interconnectedness serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and together, we can create a beautiful symphony of resilience, hope, and love.
And so, I’ve learned that when we get our connection with the Creator right, everything else tends to fall into line. It’s as if the universe aligns itself to support us when we are rooted in faith and purpose. The challenges we face become less daunting when we understand that they are part of a larger design—a design that encourages us to grow, to evolve, and to deepen our understanding of our place in this world.
As I reflect on this journey, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned and the wisdom gained. I embrace the complexities of life, knowing that they are not barriers but stepping stones to greater understanding. I am committed to nurturing my relationship with the Creator, celebrating each day as a precious gift, and encouraging others to embark on their own paths of self-discovery and divine connection.
In doing so, we not only uplift ourselves but also those around us, creating a ripple effect of love and light that has the power to transform not just our lives, but the world itself.
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