Time holds a profound power over us, yet few truly exist in the present moment. We are constantly told that we must “live in the now,” but the very instant I say the phrase, the moment has already passed me by. Time is elusive and ephemeral; it must therefore remain conceptual at best.
The future is much the same. It is a point removed from now that I will eventually inhabit, at least for a few fleeting moments. Yet it is also a source of great anxiety and fear, especially for the young. (1) Most young people today are deeply concerned about the future. They are surrounded by negativity on social media, endless warnings, and a culture that constantly suggests things are collapsing or that life will not support their desires and aspirations. This fear is reinforced again and again.
When I was young, some fifty years ago, the future was confusing, certainly, but it was also exciting. We believed that almost anything was possible -- both the good and the bad. It was up to me, along with the fickleness of life, to fulfill my mission. It quickly became apparent, however, that the way I dealt with the vagaries of existence would profoundly affect my success and well-being. So how does one deal with this modern fear? What should we say to young people about the future?
The Internet, because of its vastness, creates the illusion that there are no borders to time. It runs on endlessly. We can never truly catch the moment, as I alluded to earlier. The solution is to mentally frame time -- to give it parameters in which you can exist.
Conceptualize a point in your life when you are physically old. I say physically because the mind is elastic and does not truly know age until it is told, or until it sees the body. This imagined destination is your “Serenity Point.” Here, your dreams and aspirations will have come to fruition, and you will be content.
Now, several things must be contemplated here: Success is subjective. The things you desired at twenty will not necessarily be the same things you desire at eighty. Perhaps you once wanted great financial success. You may indeed achieve this, but it will likely be tempered by age, wisdom, and your physical limitations. You may not possess a billion dollars, but you will have enough income to meet your needs, travel, and help your children.
We all desire love and meaningful relationships. You may find these as well, but perhaps the deepest relationship you discover may be with yourself --whatever that ultimately means. The final aspect of contentment is peace: peace with yourself and peace with the world.
Carl Jung, in his essay, “The Stages of Life,” (2) suggests that several requirements are necessary for a fulfilled existence. We must become introspective beings. We must confront our shadow. We must crystallize our life’s mission and dedicate ourselves to it. Finally, we must prepare ourselves for mortality and bodily death. Together, these attributes form a kind of personal “coat of many colors” (3) -- a completed self, woven through experience, suffering, and understanding. In this way, we will finally be embraced by time itself and be content and at peace. From Ralph Waldo Emerson: “I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”
A closing thought: The present era often appears to be one vast marketing campaign built upon consumption. We are told that if we are not rich, we cannot be happy. Worse still, “rich” is defined not by ourselves, but by others. We are told that if we do not possess a soulmate, we will die alone. Countless statistics reinforce the idea that being independent equals loneliness and illness. Rarely is there any discussion about the magic of solitude (4) -- its power to awaken awareness, reflection, and even connectivity with the Divine. If you feminize time, an interesting concept develops. Once you begin to work with time rather than against her, time becomes your friend. Certainly, there are frustrations along the way. We cannot stop time or reverse her endless movement forward. Yet within the natural order of reality, time is also merciful, for she holds our deepest memories and lessons in her hands.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about understanding time and our future.
To be noted: From Mahatma Gandhi -- The future depends on what you do today.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfam0A6m0_E
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY2Bg-nYyTg
This week, on your peaceful walk, please ponder what the future holds for you..
Every day, look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Find your Serenity Point
Footnotes:
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXI2VRN5cW8
3) https://gotoheavennow.com/joseph-coat-of-many-colors-meaning/