Time is a beautiful and mysterious thing – you cannot rewind or fast-forward it thus one must remain in the present. Even our dreams of the future are made in the present.
©MoMoGrOw
Clock tower - Lenno, Italy
If the past is any indicator of the future – then I know that my prediction radar might be working well and I hope it continues to do so. I realized that my future is totally dependent on what I set my mind to now. During my corporate career, I became accustomed to making career predictions annually and due to the fact that my career path was hierarchical it seemed predictable. The inevitable question during my annual evaluation was always,
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
It seemed cliché and it was.
I recalled thinking sometimes,
“Out of here and in another job!”
Of course, I could not voice this thought. The only time I answered that question truthfully was the first time I was ever asked. I could make things up and if it sounded reasonable – my employers were happy. However, I also realized that my dreams, thoughts and words have a lot of power. I needed to be careful. I had experienced this in other aspects of my life.
For example – I used to dream of travelling the world as I was curious about different cultures. I wanted to see more exotic places and faraway lands - I manifested those dreams.
My life has seemingly taken many unexpected turns – good or bad - I realized that it was really up to me. Once, I changed career paths because I was curious and I did it for exactly 5 years. My aspiration to climb the corporate ladder was therefore not a straight path. The more I climbed the clearer it was to me that I could also fall, or other areas of my life could be compromised. Was it better to deliberately fall off the proverbial ladder? Yes - it was and for me that was fine. I envisaged a trampoline to break my fall. I could then spring back when I wanted to. Some “falling moments’ were supposedly when I quit past positions, taken leave without pay or when I had children and switched to part time employment. Sometimes it seemed like throwing caution to the wind, however one must follow one’s heart. I can still hear the echo of family and friends saying,
“You gave up a perfectly good job – you are crazy.”
However, we all have our paths to travel.
I feel as though it has been the story of my life. Those changes happened because of my own dreams - which I am happy about. I realize that it is my mindset that predicts my future – that uncertain time that is still to come. This is very interesting; I am now in the present -looking at my past whilst thinking of my future. Hmmm
What I am currently busy with could have an impact on my future but it will depend on what I really want – what I am presently focused on. My future does not necessarily have to include a change – it could also be a wish for more of what I currently have now. When I really want a change – I now know that I need to focus/meditate. What I truly want in my heart is what will ultimately happen. Change and future plans can be scary, but I learnt that it is better to dive in than to be scared of the unknown. I have gotten better at dreaming and figuring out the actions to take thereafter. Fingers crossed that it works continuously.
If you can think it or feel it – I believe it can also happen. If one does not have dreams for their future, it is like a feather being tossed about on a windy day without a destination. Dreams give one purpose but dreaming alone is wishful thinking though. Rightful actions are necessary to achieve them – whatever that dream requires. That could be a new study, skill, location, people in my life etc.
Sometimes we focus on things and do not realize it. What it is depends on our overall positive or negative countenance – we all have a proclivity to one or the other. We might manifest something and think it is coincidence, bad or good luck or say that it always happens.
I started the habit of writing down my wishes because I learnt that my busy mind has so many thoughts. How can I even know which one I truly would like to manifest, if I do not properly define it or clarify it for myself?
To make things a bit more concrete – I will provide an example. At a certain point, I was sure that I no longer wanted to be an employee. I quitted at the opportune time – in hindsight. It was just before the pandemic started. It might have seemed like bad timing, however for my family and myself it was the perfect time. Without stress I could assist my children with their schoolwork during the lockdowns - spending more time with my burgeoning teenagers while dreaming about what next. I am currently a sole proprietor. Therefore, my past dreams and efforts created my current reality.
My current main goal is to continue to create balance in my life socially, emotionally, financially, spiritually etc. I cannot be totally certain about how my future will be but I will continue to dream – knowing that it does not manifest due to merely luck alone but hard work as well.
This is my response to Hive Learners prompt about the Future and my first time participating!
The photo is my own
