There are good quotes and there are meaningful quotes … and then there are quotes that hit you right in the solar plexus, forcing you to pay attention.
Today’s quote by H.G. Wells hit me hard:
“Some people bear three kinds of trouble — the ones they’ve had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have.”
Wells made me realize how sometimes I try to live in three places at one time: the past, the present, and the future. I emotionally time travel and burden myself with problems from my past — things I can’t change — and imagined troubles in the future — things that may not even happen. By wasting emotional energy on past troubles and potential ones, I’m less-equipped to handle today’s difficulties, which are the only ones I can do anything about.
I’ve divided my mental resources, thinking about troubles that have come and gone and troubles that are yet to come — but I certainly haven’t conquered anything. It’s challenging enough to persevere through dilemmas day by day. Why weigh ourselves down with past stressors or imagined eventual ones that may or may not occur?
In Others’ Words: How do you avoid emotional time travel — revisiting troubles from your past or taking on possible troubles in your future?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”ym8BK” via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: Three Kinds of Trouble https://ctt.ec/ym8BK+ #InOthersWords #quote #perspective @bethvogt[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”WIXAn” via=”yes” ]”Some people bear three kinds of #trouble – the ones they’ve had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have.” #HGWells @bethvogt[/ctt]
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Comments 4
Honestly, Beth, I deal with this from having chosen the path of Zen Buddhism many years ago. It was the only thing that got me through some of the experiences I had,and some of the memories I carry. (And it isn’t incompatible with Christianity; Buddhism is a way of life, NOT a faith.)
The goal is quite simple; to live in the ‘now’, and the best image I can give is the one I have used so often, a pond reflecting the sky.
There may be ripples, but they will diminish in time, and the still pond will once again reflect the perfection of the sky, and the perfection of the Almighty.
Author
Andrew, thanks for sharing your perspective and the imagery of a pond reflecting the sky. I’m also mulling over the idea that Buddhism and Christianity aren’t incompatible. New concept for me.
Andrew’s example is a great one. I’m doing better at learning that worrying about the future robs strength to deal with the now, and little can be done about the past except to glean insight and wisdom so it doesn’t repeat. I’m so thankful God is out companion with the roadmap in His hand. In fact, He is the roadmap.
Author
Dee: Thanks for your insights about facing both our past and our future. I’m reading Without Rival by Lisa Revere and came across this quote this morning: “It is not really a matter of whether the past was cruel or kind to you; the greater danger lies in trying to live in what is gone. We were not created to live in shadows of glory or shame.” Great truths there.