Each moment is perfect and heaven-sent, in that each moment

The playwright and seer of human struggle, Suzan-Lori Parks, once gave us a teaching radiant with hope: “Each moment is perfect and heaven-sent, in that each moment holds the seeds for growth.” In these words lies a vision of life not as a random scatter of hours, but as a sacred garden where every instant, no matter how bitter or sweet, contains within it the power of transformation. Parks reminds us that we need not wait for some grand tomorrow to begin our becoming—the moment before us, humble though it may appear, carries the very seeds of our growth.

The origin of this truth springs from Parks’s art and her understanding of human resilience. As a writer who gives voice to histories of pain and survival, she saw how even the hardest circumstances can become fertile ground for change. Her words reflect the wisdom of an artist who knows that the theater of life is not made only of victories and joys, but also of losses, wounds, and struggles—and yet, each one of these can bear fruit. Thus, she proclaims that each moment is “heaven-sent,” not because it is painless, but because it is purposeful.

The ancients too understood this. The Stoics taught that adversity is not a curse but a teacher, and Marcus Aurelius wrote that “the impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” In Eastern philosophy, the Taoists taught that every moment flows in harmony with the Way, offering wisdom to those who listen. Parks’s voice echoes these ancient streams: every breath, every instant, carries within it the seed of something greater.

History provides shining examples. Consider Helen Keller, who, struck blind and deaf in childhood, could have been swallowed by despair. Yet with the guidance of her teacher Anne Sullivan, she found in each difficult moment the seed of learning, growth, and vision. What others might have called a prison became for her the soil of transformation. Or reflect on Nelson Mandela, whose 27 years in prison could have hardened his soul. Instead, he allowed each moment of waiting, suffering, and reflection to grow in him the patience and wisdom needed to lead a nation. Their lives declare the truth of Parks’s words: even the darkest moments contain the seeds of light.

The meaning of this quote is not to romanticize suffering, but to reveal that no moment is wasted. Even in despair, even in boredom, even in uncertainty, there lies a chance for growth—if we are willing to see it. The “perfection” Parks speaks of is not that the moment is flawless, but that it is fitted for us, crafted as an opportunity for our becoming. Heaven sends it to us not to crush us, but to call us to rise.

Therefore, the lesson is clear: live awake to the possibility of growth hidden in every hour. Do not despise the small moment, the waiting, the difficulty, or the silence. Do not wait for a better season to begin your transformation. The seed is already in your hand—it is the present itself. To waste the moment is to waste the gift of growth; to embrace it is to walk the path of wisdom.

In practice, I counsel this: when you encounter hardship, ask not only, “Why me?” but also, “What seed for growth lies here?” When you taste joy, do not only savor it, but let it deepen your gratitude and compassion. When you feel lost, know that even uncertainty teaches patience and humility. Keep a journal, reflect daily, and search for the lesson each moment brings. In this way, life ceases to be random and becomes revelation.

Thus, remember the wisdom of Suzan-Lori Parks: “Each moment is perfect and heaven-sent, in that each moment holds the seeds for growth.” Treasure your hours, for they are not merely passing—they are planting. If you nurture them, they will grow into strength, wisdom, and love that will endure long after the moment itself is gone.