You Can't Live in The Future: A Cautionary Tale of Future-Focused Living

Much of my life, I've spent living in anticipation.

When I had a decent job, I sat in my cube daydreaming about what it would be like to have a better one.

After I moved into my first creaky apartment in Brooklyn, I fantasized about the day that I'd move into a luxury building.

And as soon as I got my first client, I salivated over what it would feel like to have ten more.

While all this anticipation kept me striving for more, it was no way to live.

Rather than be happy with where I was, I grew restless waiting for what I would become.

It wasn't until one day when my wife introduced me to a profound Buddhist story that I was able to change my thinking.

Let me paraphrase it for you.

A man was walking along the countryside on a nice sunny day. Growing tired and hot from the sun, he stopped in the shade of a tree to rest. As he was resting he noticed a gold pebble sticking up from the dirt. He began to dig and discovered what was undoubtedly a golden nugget. Excited, he kept digging and after an hour uncovered a treasure chest that was overflowing with gold. He couldn't believe his luck!

He wanted to hurry home but it was getting dark so he decided to find shelter for the night. Across the way there was an abandoned hut where he made a small bed for himself. That night he could barely sleep due to his excitement. He started envisioning all the amazing things he'd be able to buy with the treasure. Images of exotic foods, lavish homes and personal servants raced through his mind. Finally, exhausted from all his fantasies, the man fell asleep.

But as he slept a sudden storm came through. The wind was so powerful it caused the rickety hut to collapse. The roof fell on the sleeping man, killing him instantly. Needless to say, he never did get the chance to spend his treasure.

I think of this story whenever I find myself longing for more or looking too far into the future.

We can fantasize all we want about that big home we'll buy or the dream business we'll build, but the truth is none of it is guaranteed.

We don't know what the future will bring.

And all these thoughts distract us of what we do have, which is the present moment.

The next time you catch yourself day dreaming about what your life will be, look at where you are now and appreciate what you already have.

That will set you free from the dangers of living in the future.

...

P.S. My wife, Pema Sherpa, and I have another blog called The Mindful Minute! Check it out here.