I recently read Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot, and it really made me stop and think about life—time, growth, spirituality, and everything in between. The poems are packed with ideas that were complicated at first, but the more I sat with them, the more I realized how deeply they connected to how I try to live my life. I wanted to share some of the key insights that stuck with me and how they tie into my own spiritual journey.

Time and Finding Peace in the Now

Eliot has this beautiful way of talking about time that really hit home for me. In “Burnt Norton,” he writes:

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.

The more I thought about it, the more I saw what he meant. Basically, everything—past, present, and future—comes together in the present moment. It’s all connected. For me, this reinforced something I already try to live by: focusing on the present because, honestly, it’s all we really have. No matter what happened before or what’s coming, the present is where we can make choices, change, and actually live.

Eliot also talks about this idea of a “still point” in “Burnt Norton”, a moment where everything pauses and you get clarity:

At the still point of the turning world…..there the dance is.

To me, this “still point” is about finding peace and stillness in a chaotic world. It’s that moment where time seems to stop, and you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. And honestly, we could all use more of those moments. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of daily life, but when we pause and just be in the present, that’s when we can reflect and really get in tune with ourselves.

The Never-Ending Search for Meaning

One thing Eliot really emphasizes throughout Four Quartets is that the journey toward understanding and meaning never really ends. In “East Coker,” he writes:

The only wisdom we can hope to acquire is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.

That line resonated with me because it’s a reminder that life isn’t about figuring everything out or finding one right answer. It’s about staying open to growth, learning, and constantly evolving. Just like in life, spiritual seeking is an ongoing process—there’s no finish line. This idea really lines up with how I feel about spirituality in general. Everyone’s on their own path, and that’s okay. As I’ve grown, my definition of what makes me proud and fulfilled has changed, and that’s all part of the journey.

Growth Through Suffering

Let’s face it—life is hard sometimes. Eliot doesn’t sugarcoat that. In “Little Gidding,” he says:

The end is where we start from.

To me, this means that even when things fall apart, there’s always an opportunity to rebuild and start fresh. Every challenge or tough moment is also a chance to grow. Life’s difficult moments aren’t just obstacles—they’re where the most personal growth happens. I’ve found that when I face these challenges head-on, they push me to be better and more intentional about how I live my life.

Eliot’s view of suffering as a path to transformation reminds me that, even when things get rough, there’s always potential for change. It’s all part of the cycle of growth—each ending leads to a new beginning.

Living with Intention

So, what’s the big takeaway from all of this? For me, it’s that everything—time, spiritual growth, suffering—ultimately brings us back to the present moment. It’s in the now that we live, make decisions, and figure out who we are. Eliot’s reflections remind me that I need to keep focusing on the present and stay open to learning from life’s ups and downs.

At the end of the day, I want to live a life I’m proud of, and Eliot’s words have given me some new ways to think about how I can do that. Life’s not about having all the answers, but about embracing the journey and being intentional about how we move through it.

Your Turn: How Do You Approach Life?

I’d love to hear from you! How do you deal with time, growth, or challenges in your life? Do you try to stay present, or do you find yourself getting stuck in the past or future? Maybe, like me, you’ll find that the answers are already here, waiting for you in the stillness of the moment.