Finding peace amidst uncertainty
October 12th, 2023
This is a short story about a stoic archer that I stumbled across a few months ago that I felt was worth sharing which resonated with me at the time, and still does so to this day, and perhaps it will resonate with you as well:
Stoic philosopher Antipater described the trained archer pulling back the bow and shooting the arrow, trying his best to hit a target, but knowing that his happiness does not depend on whether the arrow reaches the right spot or not. What is more important is aiming and shooting the arrow with as much care, attention, and preparation as possible.
Hitting the target, in fact, is not in the archer's power. After all, a sudden wind may blow, whisking the arrow away into the sky as the archer helplessly watches. Or another person may move the target just after the arrow has been released. Or a person may run into the arrow's path and snatch it up. Any of these things could stop the archer's arrow from reaching its target, without the archer being able to prevent it.
The archer's attempt to shoot accurately is analogous with our efforts. We can all do within our control, and yet many factors are outside our power or dependent on luck. That doesn't mean we should give up on striving. The archer aims to shoot straight, and should do all one can towards this goal. To hit the target is 'to be selected but not sought'.
Examples in daily life:
For example, let's say you've been studying for an important exam, but on the day of the test, you fall ill and are unable to perform at your best. In this scenario, the illness becomes the 'wind' that affects your performance and prevents you from achieving your target grade. Or perhaps sudden changes in the exam format or content catch you off guard. These unexpected alterations can be seen as the archer's target being moved just as the arrow is released.
In your career, you might work tirelessly on a project proposal, only for company restructuring or budget cuts to cancel it before it even reaches decision-makers. You did everything right, but external circumstances beyond your control determined the outcome. The archer's arrow was perfect, but someone moved the target.
In relationships, you might pour your heart into being a good friend or partner, communicating openly and showing up consistently. But the other person may be dealing with their own struggles that have nothing to do with you (mental health, family issues, personal crises) and they pull away. You can't control their inner world or their choices, only your own actions.
Or consider job hunting: you prepare thoroughly, tailor your CV, ace the interview, but they choose an internal candidate who already knew the team. You can't control office politics or their decision-making criteria. All you could do was aim true and release the arrow with care.
Even in health and fitness, you might eat well and exercise regularly, but genetics, unexpected injuries, or illnesses can derail your progress. You can't control your body's response to every variable, only your consistent effort and intention.
Ultimately, just as the archer's happiness does not depend on hitting the target, your worth as a person and your future success are not solely determined by outcomes beyond your control. This concept can be applied to various facets of life. It is important to recognise that your efforts and character hold value regardless of external circumstances.
Some parallel wisdom:
Remember, Surat Al-Baqarah (Q2:286):
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear
A similar idea is suggested here inside this verse in the Qur'an, that while there may be circumstances, challenges, or hardships in life that we face beyond our control, they are ultimately within our capacity to endure. The difficulties we encounter are part of Allah's divine plan, and He would not test us with something He knew we could not handle.
This verse offers a profound reassurance. When life throws unexpected challenges your way (illness, loss, failure, betrayal) it's easy to feel overwhelmed, as if the weight is too much. But this ayah reminds us that our Creator, who knows us better than we know ourselves, has accounted for our limits. He has built into us the resilience we need, even when we can't see it yet. The test isn't meant to break you; it's meant to reveal the strength that was always there.
Think about it: how many times have you looked back on a difficult period in your life and thought, "I don't know how I got through that"? You got through it because you were capable all along. The panic, the doubt, the fear (those were real, but they weren't the full picture). Beneath them was a reservoir of patience, faith, and endurance that you didn't know you had until you needed it.
This doesn't mean life will always be easy, or that pain won't hurt. It means you're equipped for whatever comes. The archer may not control the wind, but he's been trained to draw the bow. You may not control your circumstances, but you have everything you need within you to face them.
So when things feel overwhelming, pause. Breathe. Remember that Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. You're here because you can handle this. You're reading this because you're still standing. And if you're still standing, you're doing better than you think.
Have trust in Allah's wisdom and recognise that even in the face of adversity or any situation which feels overwhelming, you have the inner strength and resilience to endure and persevere. Embrace each day as a new opportunity to improve yourself and seize its full potential. Aim to become 1% better every day.
Just some food for thought.