"L'esprit qui s'inquiète des événements futurs est misérable."

Being worried about what might happen in the future can really mess up your present. You know, when you're constantly stressing over things that haven't even happened yet, it's like you're borrowing trouble. Instead of enjoying the moment, you get stuck in a loop of "what ifs" that only make you feel worse.

Think about it. The idea is pretty straightforward. If you let anxiety about things that may or may not happen take over, you're just making yourself unhappy now. And what's the point of that? You're effectively trading your peace of mind for uncertainty.

This thought isn't new. It’s something that philosophers and thinkers have been talking about for ages. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, had similar ideas. He believed that we should focus on what we can control and let go of what we can't. Worrying about the future falls into the category of things we often can't control. So, why waste your energy on it?

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine you're preparing for a big presentation at work. It's a week away, but you can't stop thinking about all the things that could go wrong. You worry about forgetting your lines, your computer crashing, or your boss not being impressed. Every day, these thoughts cloud your mind, making you anxious. You're so caught up in what might happen that you can't focus on practicing your presentation. Then the day arrives, and you're not as prepared as you could've been because you spent so much time worrying instead of practicing.

Now, what if you shifted your mindset? Instead of obsessing over the potential glitches, you could focus on what you can do now. Practice your speech, make backups of your presentation, and remind yourself that you’ve done well before. This way, you’re doing everything you can to ensure success and not letting anxiety ruin your present.

Here's some advice: next time you catch yourself spiraling into worry about future events, take a step back. Ask yourself, "Can I do anything about this right now?" If the answer is no, then try to let it go. Focus on what you can do now. Maybe that means preparing more, or maybe it means taking a break to clear your mind.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend. They're telling you about their fears of failing an exam that's months away. They're so stressed they can't study effectively. You'd probably tell them to take it one step at a time, right? Maybe help them create a study schedule or suggest ways to relax. This is the same sort of approach you need to take with your own worries. Be your own friend.

In the end, we all want to be happy and peaceful. Letting anxiety about the future dominate your thoughts is like carrying a heavy backpack full of rocks. You can choose to put it down and focus on the path in front of you. So, next time you're fretting about what might be, remember that it's better to lighten your load and enjoy the journey.