The Art of Living Between What Was and What's Next
Human beings differ from animals not only in physical and mental characteristics but also in our constant struggle to truly live in the present moment. We frequently dwell on the past or obsess over the future, finding it incredibly difficult to remain grounded in the "now." Consequently, we take so much for granted: the fleeting joys shared with loved ones, the quiet beauty in our daily surroundings, or the unbridled excitement of our pets anticipating a simple walk in the park.
I often observe dogs, in particular. They don't fret about their next meal or where they'll sleep tomorrow. They don't lament missed opportunities from yesterday, even if a sunny day was spent indoors. While planning for the future is essential for our existence, we humans frequently crumble in despair when things don't go as expected. Animals, however, possess a natural gift for dwelling entirely in the now, savoring life as it unfolds.
Man Proposes
Imagine meticulously planning a trip for a year: buying tickets, booking accommodation, and mapping out every single day. Suddenly, while waiting to board, your flight is canceled due to a volcanic eruption at your destination. (Yes, this actually happened to me when I was trying to fly home for Christmas from L.A. to Mexico City—Popocatépetl had erupted after decades of being inactive!)
You might try to look on the bright side, thankful you weren't mid-air, but the crushing frustration persists. All that time and money—often with insurance skipped because it doubles the trip's total cost—is now lost. You're stuck at the airport, likely facing a sleepless night and the daunting task of rebooking your entire itinerary because life has a notorious knack for ruining plans.
God Disposes
There's a poignant Spanish saying: "El hombre propone, Dios dispone." It suggests that while we make our plans, fate or a higher power ultimately decides the outcome. We can prepare for every contingency, meticulously chart our course, yet destiny often writes our final path.
And the Devil Spoils It
Many add to this saying, "y el diablo lo descompone," implying that just as you see light at the end of the tunnel—boom! The devil interferes, or "spoils it." Thus: you plan, God provides what is destined, and the devil attempts to sabotage it, blocking your chosen course.
Life often feels incredibly heavy, but the secret lies in relentless perseverance. You will face discouragement and be knocked down repeatedly—stand back up! Never let obstacles derail your progress. Hope remains at the end of that tunnel; it may not unfold as you envisioned, but a hidden reward often awaits beneath the surface.
The Weight of Yesterday's Choices
We continuously lament our past mistakes and live wishing we could foresee what awaits. Stories and movies about time travel amuse and captivate the masses. We live hoping we can erase our previous errors and make better choices when we encounter the same issues or people; shame is often a profound feeling that links us to the past. I think all of us would love to erase endless nights of partying and making awful decisions that only leave us in regret the next day.
The Shadow of Tomorrow
We think similarly about the future. The impending memento mori feelings haunt us because, as we have known since the day we were born, we are dying. As soon as this ominous thought dawns on us, we start compulsively and meticulously planning our lives to make every second on this Earth count.
No one wants to die; that is a fact. But it is such a shame to live your life trying to avoid death, as so far, no one has managed to live eternally on this Earth. You might prolong life by taking supplements, eating healthily, exercising strenuously, and taking daily blood tests to ensure everything is in order—as I said, prolong, but eventually, you will descend to the pit like all of us on this planet.
The Weight of Knowing: Cursed by Foresight
The romantic notion of knowing what the future holds is a pure fantasy. Remember all those books and films about fortune-tellers? They have certainly amused us, since, at some point, we didn't think there was any harm in picturing ourselves bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 20 or 30: successful, famous, handsome, and married with children—and all the other nonsense. That is only because, as children, we usually look at the brighter side of life.
On the other hand, can you imagine knowing that your future wouldn't be as rosy as you envisioned? You would have to combat many illnesses, pandemics, wars, terrible modern world leaders, heartbreaking relationships, and, worse still, the exact day death arrives to claim your soul.
Who truly wants to know their last breath's date and reason? Envision life under a relentless countdown, every future sorrow laid bare. We'd succumb to sheer terror!
There's a purpose behind what remains unseen, what stays unknown. Only the now is unveiled; within this present moment, we find our course of action: stop, breathe life in, observe your world. Understand the profound blessing that you still exist. While others never opened their eyes to greet the day, you are here—fully alive, breathing, and immersed in this immediate reality.
Charting your course isn't a flaw; it's an instinct. But you must navigate that map one day at a time. While there is value in revisiting the past—the triumphs, the scars, and the moments that defined you—don't let those memories become anchors. Do not let yourself be stalled by plans that unravel or by the ghosts of things you cannot change. Like a dog, you must master the art of the present. Sense the world, breathe in the air, and release the rest. Everything that truly matters is happening right here, right now.
