Lecture 8: The practice of gratitude during challenging times

Finding Peace in an Imperfect World: Balancing acceptance, action, and hope
Human beings naturally seek pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, and peace, yet we often find ourselves in a world that challenges these pursuits. We witness conflict, distress, oppression, political unrest, poverty, and relationship difficulties, and we experience loss and grief. These hardships profoundly affect our emotional balance and overall well-being.
In this lecture series, we will explore these questions:
Q1: Is it possible to find peace and happiness in an imperfect world? Are we meant to experience moments of happiness here, or
Q2: should we simply accept life's challenges and await our reward in the Hereafter?
Q3: And if peace and happiness are attainable, how do we achieve them? How do we balance accepting our circumstances with actively working towards enhancing our mental and emotional well-being?
We will turn to the Quran for guidance and inspiration, looking to Imam Hussain [as], the Ahlul Bayt as living examples of its teachings. Additionally, we will incorporate modern psychology, exploring an integrative approach that combines spirituality and science. Our aim is to navigate life's challenges while minimizing unnecessary suffering and keeping our ultimate spiritual destination in focus.
Inshallah, through this series, we will find ways to reconcile acceptance with action and foster hope amidst adversity