Ne Incautus Futuri
No, I haven’t lost my grip on sanity along with my ability to spell… at least not yet ;). The words above are Latin, and together they make up the Lee Family Motto, which comes from my dad’s side. I have long been a proud descendent of some incredibly significant contributors to the birth and early life of this great nation. My family’s presence in this country goes all the way back to Richard Lee I, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in 1639. Through the acquaintances he made during his sea voyage, he forged a path into the local government, eventually being appointed to the King’s Council and second in command to the Governor. His son, Richard Lee II, followed a very similar path, as did his grandson, Thomas Lee. It is written that both Richard II and Thomas took great issue with the continued allegiance to the English Crown, all during a time when many of the thirteen colonies started to quietly question the same. However, his great-grandson, in my mind, made the most significant contribution to the birth of all that we are today. Richard Henry Lee is one of the lesser known founding fathers yet there are many historians who agree that the case for independence would have stalled considerably, or quite possibly died altogether, if it weren’t for this man. Lee authored the ‘Lee Resolution’, which finally brought the thirteen colonies together and claimed them to be “Free and Independent States” and separate from the British Empire. Signed on July 2nd, 1776, this three-part resolution laid the framework for what would become the United States of America. Two days later, the Declaration of Independence, which served as the official announcement and explanation of the case for independence, was signed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, his signature being amongst the 55 others. The lineage continued in many prominent figures, the most notable ones being Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of The United States of America.
The history lesson above is more pride than anything else. It doesn’t lend itself much to the subject matter, but there is a commonality amongst my ancestors that carries the exact point of today’s discussion. From the Lee Family’s earliest recorded days of fighting alongside Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade, all the way to me, our family motto, “Ne Incautus Futuri”, still lives on.
“Not unmindful of the future” is the English translation of that motto, and it is of great significance when it comes to how my family has created the legacy that exists today. For example, when the founding fathers basically declared war on the world’s greatest military superpower at the time, they were definitely thinking of the present moment as this declaration would knowingly cost many lives, possibly even their own, but their most prevalent thoughts were those of the future. They made the decision to create unimaginable pain and suffering in the present in order to create a future filled with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Fast forward to this past Tuesday, a crystal clear reminder of this mindset came to me during my morning meditation. But I’m not going to tell you what it was. Okay, okay, I’ll tell you, but not yet :).
Rewinding a bit, it’s pretty clear to those of you who read these newsletters on a regular basis that I talk a lot about living in the present moment. “Be here, and be here now.” I often say. For those of you, myself included, who read or listen to the words of others who promote inspirational and encouraging content, you know that this is a highly popular subject these days. It seems that everyone is talking about living in the moment and being present for those around you, and I’m not here to discourage this or backpedal on how much I’ve pushed others to do the same. I am here to correct myself a bit, though, as I haven’t given due credit to the other side of the spectrum.
A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to an Ed Mylett podcast. He is one of my favorite inspirational speakers and he has played a pivotal role in my ongoing transformation. The thing I like about him most is that he doesn’t sugarcoat things. He tells it like it is and doesn’t hold back. It’s quite refreshing given the cautious culture we live in today. He spoke on the very subject of living in the present and went on quite the rant about how we all might be taking that message way too far. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear his message as I have been guilty recently of putting way too much stock into the present while almost completely abandoning any focus on the future. This is not like me at all as I have always kept the future in mind. I am a huge proponent of “Big Picture” thinking, which requires one to maintain their sites on the future as it relates to their actions in the present. Not only do I keep a constant eye on my future, but I also often think of the future that awaits my children, their children, and the generations beyond. This mindset is at the very core of my deep devotion to the idea of America as it presents the continued opportunity for anyone to achieve anything they desire and to think, feel, and speak without fear of persecution, or even worse. In my mind, it is imperative that we work together to protect and preserve this nation so that the future generations can experience these same freedoms that we hold so close to our hearts.
After the podcast, as I reflected on my own recent obsession with living in the present, I felt a little embarrassed that I had let myself get a bit lost in it but I’ve chosen to be a bit more gentle with myself lately when it comes to some of this new territory. After all, the past year has come with monumental life changes and I still often find myself in uncharted waters, so it’s important that I allow myself the freedom to dive as deep as I need to. I was so glad to have heard his words, though, as it pulled me back to center and I’ve been in a much more peaceful state ever since.
That’s it. The end.
Too soon, you say? Yeah, you’re right.
As much as I enjoy keeping an eye in the future, one of the hardest parts of my transformation has been my ability to stop worrying about the future. I don’t know why, but I have always been a worrier. Typically, it doesn’t involve the present or the past. I don’t worry much about the things I’ve said or done, and I rarely worry about present day issues, but I spend a ridiculous amount of time worrying about what’s to come. I worry about finances, I worry about my family, I worry about work. I “borrow trouble” as my old man always said, and that bank is lending like it’s 2007, right before the mortgage market collapsed. Granted, I have conquered some if it over the past year, but I’m nowhere near calmer waters.
Back to my morning meditation on Tuesday… I was able to get pretty deep into it and actually clear my thoughts, something that doesn’t come easily for me. In this state, the best way I can describe it is that I’m weightless, just floating through blank space. I experience “moments of light” as I call them, where a prevailing feeling or message will come to me. It feels like a surge of power, almost as if I’m downloading something. I can’t explain in words how good it feels so I’ll just move on. This moment of light was a new one for me, however, as it came to me in a distinct voice that said “Don’t worry about the future, just be mindful of it.” I didn’t recognize the voice, but it was as clear as day. I immediately opened my eyes, almost as if I was startled by someone in the room with me. What happened next was even more powerful.
I keep a large, laminated copy of the poem ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann posted on the wall directly across from where I sit and meditate each day. It was sent to me by an incredibly dear friend of mine recently, and I’ve quoted an excerpt here before. As soon as I opened my eyes, they were fixed on the following words…
“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in the event of sudden misfortune, but do not trouble yourself with dark imaginings.”
The hair on my body stood at full attention and I then wept uncontrollably. My only guess as to why I cried is due to the immense clarity and power of the experience. I’ve been fixated on it ever since.
As I typically consider my meditations to be time dedicated to listening to God and receiving his light, it’s quite possible that he was the voice that came through. I’ve also had the imagining that it was a distant ancestor of the Lee family that came to me as if to remind me of the significance of our centuries-old family motto. Whatever the case may be, it filled my soul with light and warmth and left me in a profound state of gratitude. It also sparked what I want to say next…
Regarding self improvement, on whatever scale you may be implementing it, please don’t ever let my words or the words of others leave you feeling as if you’re broken. After all, our cracks and chips are where so much of our character lies. I am a firm believer that the human design is indeed flawless, but the human condition is far from it. If we were all perfect, this would be a place straight out of a creepy horror movie. Yes, we should always be working on ourselves. I also believe whole heartedly in practicing a wholesome discipline but we can’t let that keep us locked in an existential crisis all the time. We have to embrace all parts of ourselves, even those that we know will evolve as we grow. Even the parts of us that we yearn to change or let go of, we must embrace them as they are part of us. Doing so brings an inner peace like no other, and it creates the runway for a much smoother departure.
Ne Incautus Futuri. These words carry great weight within me. So much so, they are tattooed in my skin along with the Lee Family Coat of Arms. They are with me in the present as a reminder of how my actions will affect the future. That right there is the key… the balance. Don’t get consumed by the present to the point that you lose sight of the future. The same goes for those that are fixated solely on the future while they avoid a more difficult time in the present. One isn’t possible without the other, just as light would be nothing without darkness.
So, just as that voice reminded me, I hope this serves as a reminder that the future is nothing to worry about. Remember, anxiety is nothing more than the anticipation of future events, and therefore is a pointless activity. Instead, let your thoughts of the future shape your daily endeavors. If you are in control of the present, than you can build the future that you desire. Just don’t lose sight of either one.
What role does the future play in your life?