This is the second installment in a 3-part series of letters that I wrote to my past, future and present: to days to come.

Dear Future,

I’m going to be honest, of my three selves (past, present and future), I have the most challenging relationship with you. Let’s be frank, I don’t give you as much care or consideration as I probably should.

Unlike the past and present, you are not tangible. You don’t seem real. Technically, you aren’t. At least that’s how I see it through my linear perception of time. (We can argue the semantics of whether time is linear, circular, simultaneous, etc. at a later date.)

You are full of unknowns, promises that are yet to be met. There is so much uncertainty that surrounds you, so much distance. All this, coupled with man’s innate present bias, makes you difficult to conceptualise and easy to cast a blind eye to.

This would be all well and good if the universe was static. If the person we are today is the person we will always be. But unfortunately, the older I get, the more I come to realise that the world is frustratingly transient. Everything is temporary. For better or worse, change is always happening.

So, what does that mean for me and you?

Well, for you, I’m not too sure.

As for me, it means that I need to be more intentional about making choices that better serve you. I am not going to list all the dreams and desires I have for you in this letter, but I will promise you this.

Moving forward, I’m going to try to make your life a little easier. Baby steps, small habits, nothing overly radical (unless deemed absolutely necessary). I will try to consult with the past more constructively to observe patterns and trends developing, both internally and in the wider world. This should sensitise us to some biases and blind spots, helping to better direct the steps I take towards you.

It would appear that the dreams placed upon you only become tangible once realised in my present reality. I hope to get us there; to find joy in every step along the way, no matter how challenging.

I make no promises to be perfect but will I continue pursuing progress.

I look forward to the days to come. I have faith in us.

Much love,

Present.