How true is it when we say that the future is what we make of it? And that our past has nothing to do with it and that it should not haunt us?
I think it’s true that our present is the result of the decisions we took in our past, and that the future is the result of the decisions we take today.
But, still our decisions today are based on whatever elements and consequences we have today, which have come to exist because of our old decision in our past.
Let’s say a person took the decision to study Computer Science a number of years ago, and today he is a programmer because of that choice and others he took along the way.
Today he also wants to take another decision for the future. And even though he could go and take a totally unrelated decision of becoming a professional photographer, thereby throwing away a lot of stuff from his past and many of the decisions he took, it’s most likely he won’t and that he will follow the path he started carving out for himself in the past and go for something IT related.
So, even though we don’t like to admit it, the past does somehow haunt us. It affects the decisions we take, it limits our scope of options, it tries to put us into a box we can’t get out of.
But life shouldn’t be that way.
What if we took a wrong decision along the way, or a decision we don’t like anymore?
I mean we’re human after all, and we’re built to make errors.
We should always have an option to undo what we did, and as that is impossible, then we at least should have the option to right our wrong by taking a good decision later on.
It takes courage to take such a decision though, because it means you’re admitting you were wrong, you’re admitting that a period of your life was somehow a waste of time, you’re admitting that you’re throwing a lot away and starting some things from scratch.
It’s not easy. And it’ll certainly feel unlogical to take such a step.
But what’s better to take a hard and “unlogical” step that will make our lives a lot better or to let our old wrong decision haunt us and control our lives making them miserable?
I’d choose the hard way any day!
So, after all, the future is what we make of it, it’s a direct result of the decisions we take today and it doesn’t have to be haunted by the past.
So we should learn from the errors we made in our past and take better decisions for our future, we can’t go on making mistakes and then trying to fix them forever.
Beautiful way of discussing such an important topic. It’s our way of thinking that will either push us forward or trap us in our past by making us feel it’s too late and there is no hope in making a positive change anymore. I agree with you, our past certainly affects our present, but it will affect our future only if we chose to settle down for the decisions we’ve made in our past. So no matter how hard it really seems, and no matter how old we are, we can always make a difference if we really make up our minds to do so and if we seriously work for a change.
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” _Malcolm X
My advice always is: Follow your dreams. They take you places!
Yeah, I agree with Natasha. I also believe that God does everything for the best.
i disagree. haven’t it crossed ur mind that ur dreams some years ago r what got u to where u r today? what if where u r today is not where u want to be anymore. ur dream came true but u’re not happy. dreams may help but aren’t the cause of success in future. our level of thinking plus our ambition change in time and this changes our goals thus affecting our future.
I agree with John.
Sometimes we dream some very sweet dreams and we follow them and then we find out they weren’t so sweet and in some cases they even turn into nightmares.
Like everything, there should be a mixture of dreams and logic, and we should continue to re-evaluate our decisions along the way and try to make them better.
Have you read The Alchemist yet? It talks about these kinds of “dilemmas”. 🙂
Nope, I haven’t read it yet.
I’ll be adding it to my To-Read list 😉
Thanks 🙂
Anyway, can you give us a few of the thoughts you came out with from the book?
We as humans change. Our thoughts, aspirations and dreams are constantly shifting. It really is never too late to change the direction your life is heading…if in fact you want to change it. The most important thing to always give yourself options. At any moment you life can change and having options is what allows us to move forward. If you think programming is not for you and photography is, then start making decisions that will help you go in that direction. It doesn’t have to be overnight.
I agree with you Luai that we as humans are ever changing and so are our dreams and ambitions, but as we grow older it becomes harder and harder to change direction.
Anyway, the example of a programmer who wants to become a photographer was just an example and not a true case about me.
It just rings true because I am a programmer who loves photography.
But I still don’t have any ideas of quitting programming for photography anytime soon.
But it could be anything else like a Teacher wanting to become a fisherman, a scientist wanting to become a nurse, …etc.
I believe that mapping our future is the hardest and most difficult thing we must face in our lives… One try is not enough unless you are really lucky. You have to try again to find that life you want to live! Otherwise, you will be just living for working and working and never know what’s there neither what you true life could be…