Humans desire to cling to certainties. The unknown is frightening to many. To others it is exciting anticipation an unknown event.
But why to we need to know?
Living in the present often seems monotonous, even mundane to some. Being bored or tired of our present life, the opportunities and temptations to cling the latest fear porn is appealing.
It becomes a short term goal that fills what seems to be our dull life. We feel somehow fulfilled by the challenge, like someone who sees a front yard that seems far more inspiring than their own simple lawn.
Being bored or tired of our present life, the opportunities and temptations to cling the latest fear porn is appealing.
And when it fails to come to fruition, we seek the next upcoming predicted event around which to center our lives.
We never seem to learn that these, too, may fail.
Instead, we try to substantiate our beliefs. Excuses are used to justify why a certain event didn’t come to pass, knowing full well that the excuse is most likely not even close to the truth.
The latest prediction is coming upon us…soon
So why this article now?
Because of the hype around an astronomical event occurring on April 8, 2024. This is basically what is being touted:
“WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!” exclaims the fear mongers. “APRIL 8th IS COMING AND EVERYTHING WILL END AS WE KNOW IT! And the DOJ knows all about it but won’t tell us anything!”
(Does anyone even know where such unshared information even originates?)
Haven’t we heard this before?
Back in 1997, a group called “Heaven’s Gate” were totally convinced that they were chosen by alien beings. Their spaceship trailed behind the Hal Bop Comet. All they had to do was die to get there. So on March 22, 1997, 39 of them permitted themselves to ingest “a lethal mix of the anti-seizure drug phenobarbital and alcohol, and they had placed plastic bags around their heads”.
The comet was a spectacular sight. One I never forgot. But the insanity of that group rated right there with those who followed Jim Jones in Guyana back in 1978.n
Loads of speculations…
The problem is, that those pushing this kind of fear mongering have no facts or proofs. No one knows exactly what the bad events are supposed to look like, but there is plenty of speculation to go around.
So to make sure these aren’t just one-offs, let’s look at a few more.
The financial collapse was predicted
Back in the 1990’s I remember a gold hawker who was predicting a doomsday event that would happen “any day now”. He had dates, timelines, charts and graphs all pointing to the verification of his theory.
People flocked to buy gold and silver. “Coin stacking” and prepping for the inevitable became the cry of the day.
Yet, we’re still waiting. That marker given passed by long ago.
“Coin stacking” and prepping for the inevitable became the cry of the day.
The only change that occurred was the price of gold – unsurprisingly as our dollar has been uncoupled from the stuff and printing with nothing to back it just makes it worth less.
Enter other famous voices of doom
Robert Kiyosaki predicted that the market would crash in October 2021.
For some reason, I don’t remember that happening. Maybe I was too busy working?
Regardless, there will be a crash economically. We all sense something in the wind.
Fathom Consulting, Nouriel Roubini, and the International Monetary Fund all pointed to the potentiality of a global economic crisis occurring in 2020.
And yet we’re still here.
Regardless, there will be a crash economically. We all sense something in the wind.
The problem is “when”.
And that isn’t so easy to predict.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
But what if we live our lives by setting goals for ourselves? Even small, short-term ones can be broken down from a long-term target. And those are usually very actionable.
Would we, then, be continuing to seek out someone else’s fearful predictions? Or will our own become more tangible, realistic, and compelling?
More importantly, will we be thrown off course as easily if we have our own target to aim for?
Being fooled by date-driven predictions happen to many. Even me.
(Anyone remember the alleged prediction of a doomsday event that was going to happen in 2020? The one purported to be forwarded from trustworthy sources inside the military, but actually came from unreliable sources?
Being fooled by date-driven predictions happen to many. Even me.
Yeah. THAT one.
It was promptly disposed of into my, “I’ll never trust THAT source again!” folder. And from now on, anything that even remotely smells like crazy finds itself in the same trashed file!)
But to continue to engage in the practice only serves to remove yourself from what is happening in the here and now.
Cat Stevens summed it up well in his song, “Cat’s In The Cradle“.
What would determined goal setting look like?
Those who set a personal goal to get out of debt before the 2018 recession, worked hard on minimizing expenses. They lived on a tight budget to help them achieve their end, and didn’t look around them at the crashing waves of fatalism.
…those who had no goals, then or now, remain in misery, hopelessness, and fatalism. They firmly believe that they will never be able to overcome the obstacles that would make them free of the enslavement to debt.
When the “doomsday predictions” of a collapsing economy splashed across the headlines, it just kept them motivated to work harder at reaching their debt-free goal. Most of the determined souls won that race.
The others are still running, but haven’t wavered from their focus. Now they are closer than ever to reaching the finish line.
And those who had no goals, then or now, remain in misery, hopelessness, and fatalism. They firmly believe that they will never be able to overcome the obstacles that would make them free of the enslavement to debt.
But is that ability to focus unwaveringly actually true?
Think back…
When you were a child and you engaged in a favorite hobby, you were oblivious to anything else around you. Things that went on around you, inside the house or on the street, failed to divert your attention.
Perhaps you were painting a picture in acrylics, imagining the finished product. Or riding your bike, unaware that the street lights had come on and you were to be home before dark. Maybe you were out with friends as a teen and lost track of time.
Can regaining this intensity of focus, then, mitigate the fear of disturbing predictions?
No matter the outcome, the human ability to block intrusion from a desired goal is incredibly strong.
The human mind does not like to live in a constant state of interruptions and lack of concrete routine. It creates inner turmoil and a sense of constant insecurity.
The human mind does not like to live in a constant state of interruptions and lack of concrete routine. It creates inner turmoil and a sense of constant insecurity.
In my own life, using the amazing systems outlined by James Clear in his “Atomic Habits” book has become my own go-to resource.
Coupling my goals set for this year, I have incorporated an amazing product (the FinishersJournal, which we’re planning on including in our merchandise launch next quarter so you get one at a discount) to keep me focused for 90 reachable days to reach my long-term goal.
Date driven fear porn and flashing news headlines no longer distract me from that personal vision.
Enter goal setting
In a world filled with constant distractions, there is an increased awareness of setting personal goals is rising.
And for good reason.
It enables a person to live in relative stability. And unless there is a fundamental reason to shift gears, most people will find more contentment in staying the course.
When the self-proclaimed objective is established, it becomes far more compelling than the latest fear porn.
It is personal.
And more realistic.
What about prophecies?
Such predictions that are purported to come from something supernatural are considered “prophecies”. These could come from alleged saints, angels, celestial beings, etc.
To an innocent soul, they appear trustworthy. So the message they received, to them, seems credible.
…when the information comes with deadlines, expected due dates, or timelines, they should be subject to investigation.
To many on the outside, the integrity and trustworthiness of that alleged “seer” comes into question from that moment forward as well.
But when the information comes with deadlines, expected due dates, or timelines, they should be subject to investigation. Too often, those types of prophecies have failed.
This extends beyond a single person…
Any prophetical groups or individuals who give exact dates deserve a high degree of scrutiny. Regardless of the underlying cause, the effect on those who follow is the same as date driven predictions.
Regardless of the underlying cause, the effect on those who follow is the same as date driven predictions.
It becomes a distraction from the here and now, refocusing the mind on something not yet real.
Unlike those around the, such as their children, job, friends, families that all need the person to be present. Now.
Saint John of the Cross…
I especially love the way St. John of the Cross handled such matters in “Ascent to Mount Carmel”. In a very clear manner, he said that if one were to even hear a voice that might be of God, to ignore it. If it is of God, He would be sure to make whatever was said happen.
Just because something is “revealed” does not necessarily make it a reality.
In other words, prophetic voices don’t mean anything that was not already revealed. Just because something is “revealed” does not necessarily make it a reality.
And we do not need to know anything more. All we need to do is to stay the course.
So is it worth listening to the predictions and prophecies?
Yes, sort of. And with a giant caveat.
If you feel so inclined, you can listen, but don’t alter your life around something that has been as yet unproven. Keep your eyes on your personal goals, in spite of the seeming odds.
…don’t alter your life around something that has been as yet unproven.
Then enjoy the life you have been given. Today.
But better advice would be to not listen at all.
But what if you knew what was going to happen in the future?
Saint John Bosco was playing ball with his group of orphaned boys. When asked what he would do if he knew he would die tomorrow, he replied, “I would keep playing ball.”
Live each moment, embrace each moment as if it is your last. You will find yourself more patient, more kind, and joyful than if you were to live in fear. Those closest to you will notice your change as well.
What you know is now…not tomorrow.
Remember that the weather forecasters are often wrong. Yet they still keep their jobs.
Your job is to stay focused on today with a view toward tomorrow, not the other way around.
Keep yours.
Your job is to stay focused on today with a view toward tomorrow, not the other way around. Those around you depend on your acceptance of the present moment, not the fear of the unknown in the future.
Share your own experiences.
Have you ever found yourself following the latest fearful prediction, only to find out is wasn’t true after all? What did you do?
And what did you do differently the next time you saw another future warning?