Imagine you are six years old and your mother is sick. You can tell from the talk of adults around you that it is very, very serious. Your mother might never get better. She might die. This was the experience of a friend, who remembers in those dark days being terrified of what might happen. She confided in her aunt that she was afraid because she didn’t know what would happen in the future. She was only six. How could she survive if her mother never got better, or even died?  The aunt told the little girl that she didn’t need to worry about the future. She just needed to take care of herself now and live each day as it came along. “You won’t have to deal with the future — whatever it is. That will be the job of the Future You. She will be older and she will know what to do. The Present You only has to deal with what is happening now.”  And I imagine she suggested that her niece draw a picture for her mom, or give her mom a kiss, or some appropriate action for her six-year-old self. 

I found this story very moving at a personal level, and also applicable at a political level. I am weary of hearing “What are we going to do if he cancels the election in 2028?” “What if the food supply runs out?” “What if the market collapses and there’s a giant depression?” “What if a rogue nation – like us! – sets off a nuclear war?”  

I want to say that those problems will be handled by our Future Selves. Today, we need to do the best we can to resist and not capitulate, fight fear and have hope, support one another and continue to do as much good as we can. That’s a big job for our Present Selves. The more we fret about the what if’s and the when’s the less we can do right now. And, of course, it’s a great idea to take some action that is going to help if and when some of these fears bear fruit.  Support the local farmers market, register voters, know your rights and be ready to exercise them, diversify your portfolio and if you can, give some of it away, build your community strong and hopeful.

We can’t know the future. Many are shocked by where we find ourselves today: a failing democracy, a heartless and mindless leadership, unconstitutional, criminal acts by those in power. Most of us never imagined we would be where we are today. Why would we think we can imagine what the future holds?  Our future selves will find out and, if we have laid good groundwork today, they will be able to move forward with courage and wisdom.

Each of us has different talents, energy, and resources to contribute; and each of carries different risks and vulnerabilities that may limit what we can do. But we’re all capable of feeling like that little six-year-old, frightened and helpless in the face of a scary future. Remember, you’re just responsible for today. That Future You will handle the future. Just do what you can — write a letter, visit a neighbor in need, take a walk and breathe deep, plant something edible, pet your cat, send money to the animal shelter, the food bank, civil rights organizations…. or, like your six-year-old self, draw a picture and kiss a loved one.