During my conversation with a friend, about being unable to afford a relationship (see my October 17 blog – Unaffordable), I also said to her that I don’t have a future. She disagreed. And she was right. I should have been more careful in choosing my words: I don’t see a future. However, sometimes both words feel the same to me – in my current circumstances.
To be entirely honest, I am actually very glad that I cannot (fore)see my future. To some extent, the 2006 predictions of a Feng Shui Master from New York still haunt me (also see my March 26 blog). Knowing your future is depressing – either way. When things should/would improve then you get (very) impatient. When things would/should deteriorate you sincerely regret that you even asked for this information. Also see my October 15 blog on regret and remorse.
Another term for foreseeing the future is the French word clairvoyance (or clear vision). Wikipedia states: “Claims for the existence of paranormal and psychic abilities such as clairvoyance have not been supported by scientific evidence published in high impact factor peer reviewed journals. Parapsychology explores this possibility, but the existence of the paranormal is not accepted by the scientific community. Parapsychology, including the study of clairvoyance, is an example of pseudoscience.”
One of the greatest – well documented – clairvoyants (a.k.a. psychics) in human history is Michel Nostradamus (1503-1566). All over the world, people are still busy to decipher his many prophecies. To date his work is still in print (e.g., Amazon). The (alleged) prophecies of Nostradamus have also been used for hoaxes. Other – more recent – clairvoyants have been listed here: link 1, link 2.
Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (1869-1916) was a Russian peasant, mystical faith healer and a trusted friend to the family of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. To some extent he is also considered a clairvoyant. He became an influential figure in Saint Petersburg. Allegedly, the grandfather of the current Russian President changed his name from Rasputin to Putin to avoid attention (source). Even a 2002 Pravda article states that: “The president’s family tree is not traced after Putin’s grandfather Spiridon Putin”.
To my surprise, I found quite some articles focusing on this similarity in names (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
With the many pressures we face in our busy lives, it’s easy to become preoccupied with the stresses of everyday life. The last thing on your mind might be what you’ll be doing in a couple of months, years, or decades. However, some surprising research on future time perspective shows that thinking about where you’re headed in life can actually get you through the rough times you might be facing now. Even if things are going well, a focus on tomorrow will help you today. (PsychologyToday)
Well-known psychologist Martin Seligman, who helped to found the Positive Psychology movement, stated that “the one thing we know about health, longevity, and flourishing [..]… is [it’s important] to live in the future, not in the past, and not in the present.” (PsychologyToday)
Do you know where you’re going to. Do you like the things that life is showing you. Where are you going to. Do you know. Do you get, What you’re hoping for. When you look behind you, There’s no open doors. What are you hoping for. Do you know. Diana Ross
Do You Know Where You’re Going To (1975) by Diana Ross
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-song
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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