Looking Forward to the Future?
Ashlee Tomaro / Women’s Ministry Assistant
As we begin the new year, it brings about the traditional New Year’s resolutions. It is a time when we reflect on the past year and look to the future to achieve the goals we may have put aside. There’s nothing wrong with having goals and coming up with objectives to reach them, but I often think about how much I’m missing when I’m focused too much on the future.
This past month has been a tough month for me personally, and yes, I’m looking forward to 2019. However, I find that when I put too much thought on what may be ahead, I’m losing out on precious time and memories I can be forming in the present.
Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, once said, “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” This doesn’t mean that everything in the present moment is going perfectly or happening as you planned, but it is about appreciating what is happening at the moment.
There are so many things in life we take for granted, at least I know I do. As a mom of two young children I love seeing my kids grow and develop, but I’m often left feeling tired and ready for the next phase of their life to begin, perhaps one requiring less dependence. Sometimes we are so impatient for the next event or next phase of our lives, we end up missing the moments that can mean the most. In life you do not always get a warning on when the last time you’ll be able to do something or see someone. Sometimes we are blessed with an opportunity to embrace and savor these last moments, but those are only available to us if we are present-minded.
While writing this I came across Ecclesiastes 8:7, “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?” Only God knows the future, so it is not up to me to worry about it. I can trust in Him to see me through whatever circumstance I find myself in. For me, I’ve found my place; it is here in the moment, and it is where all of my blessings are present.
As we begin the new year, it brings about the traditional New Year’s resolutions. It is a time when we reflect on the past year and look to the future to achieve the goals we may have put aside. There’s nothing wrong with having goals and coming up with objectives to reach them, but I often think about how much I’m missing when I’m focused too much on the future.
This past month has been a tough month for me personally, and yes, I’m looking forward to 2019. However, I find that when I put too much thought on what may be ahead, I’m losing out on precious time and memories I can be forming in the present.
Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, once said, “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” This doesn’t mean that everything in the present moment is going perfectly or happening as you planned, but it is about appreciating what is happening at the moment.
There are so many things in life we take for granted, at least I know I do. As a mom of two young children I love seeing my kids grow and develop, but I’m often left feeling tired and ready for the next phase of their life to begin, perhaps one requiring less dependence. Sometimes we are so impatient for the next event or next phase of our lives, we end up missing the moments that can mean the most. In life you do not always get a warning on when the last time you’ll be able to do something or see someone. Sometimes we are blessed with an opportunity to embrace and savor these last moments, but those are only available to us if we are present-minded.
While writing this I came across Ecclesiastes 8:7, “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?” Only God knows the future, so it is not up to me to worry about it. I can trust in Him to see me through whatever circumstance I find myself in. For me, I’ve found my place; it is here in the moment, and it is where all of my blessings are present.