"We fear the future because we are wasting today."

Fear of what's coming next often grips us because we're not making the most out of our present. This idea is pretty straightforward when you think about it. We get so caught up in worrying about tomorrow, next week, or even next year that we forget to live fully right now. It's like we're too busy stressing about what might happen and, in doing so, we're missing out on what's happening.

Historically, the anxiety about the future has been a common theme in human life. Consider the Great Depression in the 1930s. People were scared stiff about their futures because they were struggling so much in their present. Jobs were scarce, money was tight, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. They feared the future because their present was so bleak.

Let's bring it closer to home with a real-life example. Take John, a 30-year-old guy working in a marketing firm. He spends most of his day thinking about his career trajectory. He's constantly anxious about whether he'll get promoted, if he'll make enough money, or if the industry will change and leave him behind. Because of this, he stays late at work, missing out on dinners with friends, skipping his morning jogs, and ignoring his hobbies. He's so focused on what might happen that he's not enjoying the good stuff happening now—like his current role, the fun projects, and the camaraderie with his colleagues.

So, how can you apply this piece of wisdom to your own life? Start small. Take a few moments each day to appreciate where you are right now. It could be something as simple as enjoying your morning coffee without scrolling through your phone. Or, instead of worrying about a meeting next week, focus on the work you have at hand today. When you catch yourself spiraling about the future, remind yourself to take a deep breath and come back to the present moment.

Now, imagine this: You're at a coffee shop with a friend. You're chatting about your dreams and fears, and you confess that you're terrified of what the future holds. Your friend, sipping their latte, nods and says, “Hey, remember that time we were in college, and you were so worried about passing that calculus exam? You spent weeks freaking out, but you ended up acing it. You missed out on all those fun nights out with us because you were so stressed. What if this is the same thing? What if you're wasting today, worrying about something that might turn out just fine?”

That hits home, right? It's a reminder that while it's natural to think about the future, we shouldn't let it rob us of our present. We need to strike a balance—planning for what's next while also making sure we're not missing out on what's now. So next time you're caught up in a whirlwind of what-ifs, take a moment to ground yourself. Remember, the future's going to come whether we worry about it or not. Let's not waste today stressing over it.