I could get my affairs in order if I was about to die. I could prepare myself if some awful illness was about to strike. I could avoid that dodgy builder who seemed okay but would botch the job.
But if I'd known what my future held when I was young, would I have felt happier? Or would I have been so shocked by all the things that were coming my way (including all the horrors of the outside world), I'd be screaming like a banshee and wishing I'd never known what was in store?
If I'd known about the global pandemic, or the crazy American President, or the climate crisis, would I have been thoroughly downcast? Would I have wished I'd remained ignorant?
On the other hand, if I'd known I was going to meet the love of my life and we would spend many happy years together, if I'd known I would travel to all sorts of amazing places, if I'd known I would end up in a lovely detached house, would I have been cock-a-hoop? Would I have been looking forward to the future with enthusiasm?
Some people say that not knowing what the future holds is what makes life exciting. If we knew exactly what was going to happen, wouldn't life be rather dull and flat? We would have to introduce some artificial excitement like a bunch of exotic animals or some visiting Martians.
Of course, if we could all foretell the future, a lot of clairvoyants and tarot readers and fortune tellers would be out of a job.
Like yourself, Nick, I would prefer NOT to know what the future holds, except of course if it were to be only good news, but on second thought not even then. The element of surprise would be missing.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: Perhaps we could have the ability to foretell the good news, while the bad news would be filtered out?
DeleteI wish I had known what was going to happen back when I was 20 so I could prepare for it. I don't like surprises.
ReplyDeleteMary: Me too. I don't like being suddenly overwhelmed by some unforeseen crisis.
DeleteI prefer not to know what the future holds, I worry enough as it is!
ReplyDeletePolly: But you might find that the thing you're worried about is never going to happen?
DeleteYes, that would be good!
DeleteI am glad I don't know (or didn't know from my very beginnings) what the future holds or held. I think I would be continuously anxious instead of the happy little bunny I am.
ReplyDeleteUps or down, I just accept them and do not dwell on the down bits.
There are a few things I wish I had the ability to change in my past, but that change for the trials and tribulations of those that I love.
But if our life is mapped out, then I couldn't anyway...
Anna :o]
hyperCRYPTICal: I'm blessed with the ability to remember the good things in my life and in general forget about the bad things.
DeleteI do not want to know because something bad will always be coming down the pike and I’d start dreading it way in advance.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I think I'd be the same. And if something scary is on the way, I tend to build it up into something absolutely terrifying.
Deletewow. I am trying my best to live in the Now. have been listening to a lot of Ekhart Tolle. his thought being this very moment is truly all we have. it could very well change in the next instant. so learning to live and being aware of the present in every way is what we should strive for. at least that's how I'm understanding him anyway. people always drag so much of their past with them and it's over. there's nothing the can do to change it... so why let it affect our happiness today? I think that's the point of it anyway! but then what do I know. :D I'm glad we aren't made aware of what's ahead! don't think I could take it. so... one day at a time. or... one moment at a time???? aaagggh! snoopy hug to you and jenny. xo
ReplyDeleteTammy: I agree, living in the moment and taking one day at a time is a good principle - though some degree of future planning is always needed.
DeleteI suspect it is better to experience the good and the bad as they happen than to know they are coming. Would knowing the bad would be followed by the good help during the bad? Or would it just keep you from learning from the bad if you felt safe to wait it out?
ReplyDeleteLinda: True, it could be reassuring to know that lots of people will come to your rescue if something bad happens.
DeleteIf I had been told that the future was what it has turned out to be when I was in my twenties I would not have believed the teller.....
ReplyDeleteFly: Me too. I've had so much unexpected good luck I would never have dreamt of when I was young.
DeleteNope, Andy and I don't have that much future left, so we're living the dream right now.
ReplyDeleteJean: Living the dream sounds good. Jenny and I tend to use the same jokey expression!
DeleteI am happy taking it as it comes, though prepared for much.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Being prepared for all eventualities is a good substitute for knowing the future.
DeletePeople don't prepare for the worst, we deny it, that's why people don't wear masks, don't stick to the speed limit, don't go to the doctor's with serious symptoms and denying climate science is why we are all going to hell in a handbasket
ReplyDeleteKylie: Yes, people pretend the future is never going to happen, so they can keep on taking absurd risks with their lives.
DeleteBest not to know, I feel!
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Knowing something really horrendous is due could totally ruin your enjoyment of the present moment.
DeleteIn my personal life I hardly ever thought about what the future would bring and just did what was right at the moment. I have no regrets now when I look back. If there were 'what if' moments, they were quickly replaced with what really happened instead of what was expected to happen. There were occasions when the future was certain except the exact timing like the death of my wife and father at home. Now, I have nothing to look forward to except to live one day at a time and enjoy each.
ReplyDeleteRamana: I've also tended to do what was right at the moment, without much consideration of the possible long-term consequences. And like you, my life has gone very well as a result.
DeleteLive every day as if it were your last is a good philosophy. I'd rather not know what's going to come down the road and these dark days don't bear thinking about, do they. I have a favourite phrase - Surprise me! - and I am continually surprised at how life unfolds, some bad some good, but that's life.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Indeed, that's a good philosophy. Mind you, I'd be pretty busy if this was my last day and I had to do everything I hadn't yet done!
DeleteHaven't done yet usually means it was never a priority. Why would you spend your last day doing things like that?
DeleteLinda: I guess I'm thinking of things I had vaguely planned to do but never got any farther. Of course most of them would involve a bit of preparation so one day wouldn't be enough to carry them out.
DeleteThere is a certain dullness to life when everything is known. I think it's the variety of having some things predictable or known in advance and other matters not so. If everything is always unknown for long periods of time I think that becomes undesirable at some point and knowing the future would be welcome and comforting. I guess it comes down to some sort of balance with knowing the future for some things ideal -- like having financial security, housing, food guaranteed, trust of partner but maybe at only certain times of life. For example, would ambition be quelled if we knew our successful future and would it then alter our actions and future?
ReplyDeleteJoared: Indeed, if we knew the future and that altered our actions, would the future then also change accordingly? And yes, perhaps a mixture of knowing the future and not knowing it would be a good balance.
DeleteI always find it amusing that fortune tellers can never predict the things you want to know! I'd hate to know the future, I know I'd feel very trapped and so get obsessed with trying to change it!
ReplyDeleteJenny: I tried a fortune teller once when I was much younger. Just about everything she predicted was nonsense. She said I would buy a motorbike. I never had any interest in motor bikes!
DeleteYes, I suspect I would also try to change the future - especially if something nasty was on the way.
There's a country song that has as a chorus, "And now, I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain but I'd have had to miss the dance." I believe that - life happens as it happens. It just sees better to focus on what good does come to you.
ReplyDeleteAgent: I do tend to focus on the good things that have happened and conveniently forget the bad things.
Delete