I find it interesting what parents allow or don't allow their children to eat. Growing up, my Mom's demanding career combined with the insanity of having four kids meant we pretty much consumed whatever we got our hands on. In fact, for my 7th grade birthday party I asked everyone to give me Sour Cream & Onion Pringles or Mountain Dew. I ended up with literal wheelbarrows full of the product. After a few weeks of green can and green can lunches, I felt horrible. Looking back, I know that parents creating rules around their child's nutrition is most often to ensure their child is healthy in the future.
Decisions have consequences, both positive and negative. However, most of the consequences to our decisions aren't made immediately apparent. One cheeseburger won't make you obese and one workout won't make you fit. Last week I wrote about the beauty of living for now, staying present and enjoying life moment to moment. There is a balance to that life philosophy and that is we must also live for later.
The decisions we make every day are shaping the decisions we will have to make in the future. I heard a student say the other day, "Well, I probably shouldn't do this, but that's future Jenny's problem." I laughed. She's not wrong, but she's also missing the point. Present Jenny could prevent future Jenny from ever encountering the problem she was referencing.
It's important we strive to be present in our daily lives, while at the same time remembering that our present choices have a direct impact on what choices will be available to future us.
As you decide what you want to eat, what content you'll consume, who you'll spend time with, what you'll spend time doing, or even what clothes you wear, remember that you are creating or solving problems for future you.
Action
Pre-decide what decision you will make for one area of your life next week. When the time comes to make that decision, it's already been made.
i.e. I am pre-deciding that I will be phone free next Monday from 5-9pm. I am pre-deciding that I will eat a yogurt instead of bacon next Friday for breakfast.
Question
What current problem are you facing that could have been prevented with better decision making?
Quote
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
- Søren Kierkegaard