Living . . . when?

In the '60's we heard that it was important to live in the "here and now".  Be present.  Be immediate.  Now is all you can be sure you have.

On the other hand a Quaker philosopher once wrote, "The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you will never sit."  [D. Elton Trueblood]

That implies living for a future you will never see, but creating a future others will enjoy and be enriched by.

I think that means a way of thinking, a way of planning, or a way of not thinking much and not planning much.

I was reminded a couple of days ago of an acquaintance who spends all she ever gets, even bonus money she could not have expected.  She lives for the "now", for what pleases her "now".  She has not money saved to help her child go to college, or beauty school, or get into an apprenticeship program.  She has zero set aside for retirement, and each day she is marching towards that age.  Her grandkids, if she might ever be blessed with any -- she has nothing for them, either.  No tree has been planted for someone else to enjoy, or even for her to sit under.

As I think about it, I think taking the long view makes more sense.  It connects me to others, and to my deepest self.  What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.