The world has always been enamored with the future. We imagine the technological revolutions that will take place, the vast improvements to life that will occur, and most often, we envision a life of leisure and pleasantness.
Predictions are Nearly Always Wrong
The funny thing is that the predictions for the future are nearly always wrong, even from some of the greatest thinkers of their time. Thomas Edison predicted that in the future, everything from baby cradles to household furniture would be made of steel. In 1950, the science editor of the New York Times predicted that by 2000, everything in the home would be waterproof and you would clean your home with a garden hose.
Alas, most of us don’t fly to work in our private helicopters, though we do have the ability to speak and see people through telephones at the same time – two of his other predictions. Junius Morgan, J.P.’s father, thought electricity was a fad, and of course, the president of Michigan Savings Bank warned people to be wary of Henry Ford because the horse was here to stay, while the car’s popularity would fade quickly.
These and many more predictions didn’t pan out, but that didn’t stop people from imagining them. We have an obsession with predicting the future, presumably because of our desire to control it. We see problems in the present, want to see those issues relegated to history, and design a future where we don’t have to deal with them.
Or else, we see such power in something today, and we imagine that growing and expanding, much as Edison’s view of steel colored his view of the future. We may play into the present’s hands and assume it won’t change tomorrow, something that most likely will. Riding a horse to the city, are we?
The one thing I’m most certain about in the future, is that we will have little certainty about it. I believe the vast majority of things we predict will not come true unless they’re based on actions being taken today. True, numerous inventions have been born of Science Fiction writers’ ideas, which became catalysts for inventors to see if they could create these futuristic items now, but those who imagined them were not actually expecting them. It’s more like they were anticipating what people would anticipate in the future. Regardless, the world of tomorrow is not a sure one.
Stop Worrying and Start Living!
The Gemara (Talmud) in Sanhedrin (100b), quoting Ben Sira for some of his practical statements, discusses thinking about the future. On the pasuk in Mishlei, (27:1) “Don’t boast about tomorrow, for we don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” he comments that many people worry about the future, but it is a world that won’t actually be theirs.
A person could worry about what will happen, but he may not even be alive for the time he’s worrying about. He could be planning great and wonderful things, but something bad could come up and erase them all. And similarly, but quite to the contrary, a person could anticipate so many problems that will never actually arise!
The truth is, 90% or more of the things we worry about never materialize. If we spend our time worrying about those potential futures, we lose today to depression and anxiety, and fuel the negativity of the future. When we get to the future and the problems don’t arise, we can’t even breathe easy because we’re on to worrying about the next potential problem.
As Moshe Rabbeinu told Hashem, “Daya l’tzarah b’shaatah,” it’s enough to worry about troubles when they happen. Do we need to plan and worry about them now, too? Certainly not.
When people come up with various “what if” scenarios, it’s fine to plan what you will do if a certain outcome or event takes places. However, to dwell on it and lose the joy in other things because MAYBE this or that will occur in the future, flies in the face of history. We know that most predictions are faulty and don’t materialize. Why would you be so sure that it will happen now?
Find Joy In the Present and Prepare to Face a Marvelous Future!
If you want to make sure you have a positive, safe, and happy future, your best bet is to find the joys in each moment of the present. That way, when the future arrives, you’ll handle it the same way, and even if those issues come up, you’ll be able to deal with them properly.
I recall once needing some important documents by a certain date. I had forgotten to get them before a trip, and was on a plane when I was asked for them. Someone told me, “You should have handled this before. Now it’s a huge issue.” Well, I had wi-fi on the plane, and managed to get what I needed, even if it took me a little creative thinking. I then messaged that person, “Nope. No issue.” I could have gotten anxious and riled up, but instead I calmly got to the task at hand and took care of it.
If I were to sum up my approach in a few words, I think I’d say my philosophy is: “The future will be whatever you make of it. Don’t fear it; await the challenge and be ready to marvel at how you maneuver it into a bright one.” Then, the world of tomorrow will truly be one of wonder and miracles.
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
Rabbi Gewirtz (Operation Inspiration) welcomes comments and feedback. Write to him at info@JewishSpeechWriter.com to share your thoughts. You never know when you may be the lamp that enlightens someone else.
