“The desire to know the future gnaws at our bones.” – Pamela Freeman
The need we have to know what is ahead can sometimes obscure our focus on the present. Is knowing the future so important that we might be willing to risk enjoyment of what is happening around us in the present? Why has seeing the future always been so intriguing to us? Would it be a good thing or a bad thing?
I am a planner by nature. Being a planner is different from being a controller. Anyone who likes to plan knows that they need to be flexible and allow for the things which happen that they cannot predict. None of us is fully in control of life and life will throw us curves that we have no way of seeing. Sometimes those curves are bad, but sometimes those curves make for an exceptional memory. This is all a part of living. If we could see the future there are good and bad aspects to having that knowledge.
I think we would lose the element of surprise that is so special to us. Think of knowing what is in every present under the tree at Christmas. Would that not take all the fun and surprise out of Christmas morning? There would be no gasps of surprise, no squeals of delight as a child opened that favorite thing that they wanted that ‘Santa’ brought them. We would not have those tears of joy as a marriage proposal is made after great effort has been taken to create the perfect moment to ‘pop the question’. That special moment when a couple finds out they are to be parents would be lost, and the shock to find out they are having twins!
Seeing the future might makes us alter our plans and more fully appreciate what we have today before it disappears from our lives. How many times has a sentence been started with the phrase “if I had only known?” Seeing that our actions have had a negative effect and having the ability to correct that would be a wonderful thing, but what other related things would that alter; perhaps a positive thing would not happen. We do learn from our mistakes. Would that be taken away if we knew what was ahead?
I used to plan things for myself; like setting goals for the future and even dreaming a little about possibilities. I hit a major shift in my life and decided I didn’t care enough to plan or do anything. I gave myself permission to just coast. This was not in my best interest. When you stop making forward progress everything comes to a standstill. When I don’t plan, that is when I waste time with no particular destination or progress.
I am still glad though, that I could not see the future, since traveling this road in life has taught me many lessons. One of these lessons is very important; don’t waste time, it will not be given back. Another lesson is that you will find out who are your real friends when life gets bumpy. Another important lesson is that you must take care of yourself, no one else really can do that for you.
At the end of it all is seeing the future going to make everything perfect? I think not, rather it will just create a new set of unforeseen variables that will surprise you on your path. In my opinion why bother with knowing what is coming ahead; good or bad, take it as it comes, deal with it the best that you can, appreciate each day, and learn from your mistakes. Enjoy the mystery of tomorrow.
Goodies:
Outfit from Ghee for the Freak Show Carnivale presented by SCALA. October 28th – November 13
EJ's Closet 