I will assuredly be wrong about how
happy I will be in the future
with regard to my choices today.
I know this because
I am unhappy today
about some of my past choices.
My regrets are few, however.
My past self has caused me unnecessary struggles;
that is true.
But I forgive him.
He has helped me grow and learn,
I think, in a good way.
My future self may be disappointed in me for decisions I make today.
Don’t get me wrong;
I care about the well-being of my future self.
I don’t want to cause him harm.
I don’t want him to suffer unduly.
But how do I help him when there are
just so many choices in the world,
from travel to nutrition,
from education to work,
from finance to accommodation?
How do I help both my present self and my future self
to flourish and to be content?
To avoid the risk of escalating expectations,
with all the regrets and expected regrets,
with the worry and blame that comes
of choosing one option at the expense of another,
I decide that we will both be satisfied if
I simply limit the size of my fishbowl,
experiment with a few things for variety and growth, of course,
but make choices that are tried and true.
What has brought happiness to my past self and my current self
will probably also bring happiness to my future self.
So, I won’t fiddle with those choices.
What has once worked, currently works, will likely continue to work.
But limit the rest.
And live simply.
May my future self salute me for my efforts.