There is no tomorrow. The future is an illusion. Do you believe me? Can we get into a car and go there? Can we take an airplane? There’s no such thing as the future. If this sounds preposterous, stare at a clock for a thousand years. Do not go to sleep, but keep your eyes fixed on the clock and its hands. Now, let me know when it’s not today. I’ll wait.
The concept of time can be a complex and philosophical subject to explore. While it is true that the future is only a mental projection of our thoughts and expectations, we use the concept of tomorrow to guide our current actions and plans. Time is a continuous flow of single moments that we experience linearly. But there’s a caveat: the only moment you’ll ever experience is the one you are in. Outside of this moment, no other moments exist or ever will. Your whole life is but a moment, a solitary day with a series of naps. It’s today while we work and today while we sleep.
In the grand tapestry of our lives, a singular moment holds immense power—the present. Regardless of the missteps we’ve taken in the past or the dreams we envision for the future, it is in this very instant that our true potential resides. If we fail to seize the opportunity before us, it may forever elude our grasp. Before delving deeper into the chapters of this book, a crucial choice beckons you, compelling you to take immediate action.
Your Life is A Dot
Tomorrow exists as an extension of the present moment, stretched over time. The present, in its essence, encompasses an infinite expanse. To illustrate this concept, envision a solitary rubber band. Cut it with scissors and lay it flat, observing the surface. Mark a dot at the center, symbolizing the current moment. Now, imagine stretching that rubber band over a span of 100 years. What occurs to the dot? It transforms into a line. Although elongated, it remains the same dot, merely altered in shape. From a perspective beyond our earthly dimension, that dot represents your life.
When we prioritize the present, represented by the dot, by making wise and well-considered choices, we establish the foundation for a future (the stretched dot) that aligns with our current intentions and aspirations. Recognizing that the future emerges as a collection of successive present moments, or an elongated dot, grants us a profound understanding of the significance of deliberate action in the here and now. Through conscious engagement with the present, we sow the seeds that will blossom into a future harmonious with our values while acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of outside forces accompanying the passage of time.
Remaining wise in the present ensures wisdom in the future. By doing what is right and just in the present, we naturally pave the way for a future in which we can look back and affirm the soundness of our decisions. Each current choice shapes our lives’ trajectory, allowing us to forge a path aligned with our highest ideals. Ultimately, by grasping the interconnectedness of the present and the future, we embrace the everlasting nature of the present moment—now—which stretches infinitely in time. With this awareness, we are empowered to live mindfully, utilizing the full potential of the present to manifest a future that reflects our authentic selves.
Now is all we have. If you are not acting on your desires right now, the odds are that you never will.