July 7, 2025 • 11 mins
Ancient wisdom reminds us not to let future anxieties rob us of present peace. Our capacity for reason and problem-solving remains constant, providing the tools we need to face whatever challenges may come.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Wes (00:01):
Welcome to the According to Wes podcast.
I'm your host, wes, and I'mdedicated to cultivating calm
and resilience in a busy world,no matter what my family says.
But more on that at a laterdate.
Today we're delving into atimeless piece of wisdom, a
(00:23):
comforting reminder to staygrounded in the present.
Today we'll be exploring theprofound meaning behind the
quote never let the futuredisturb you.
You will meet it if you have to, with the same weapons of
reason which today arm youagainst the present.
(00:44):
Weapons of reason which todayarm you against the present.
This quote speaks directly toour tendency to get caught up in
anxieties about what lies ahead.
Our minds have a remarkable,sometimes troublesome, ability
(01:06):
to project into the future,conjuring up scenarios, worries
and uncertainties that can robus of our peace in the present
moment.
For example, will I live toplay gta six?
It just got delayed.
Kind of worried about that.
However, let's break down thefirst part of the quote Never
(01:28):
let the future disturb you.
This is more.
It's not a suggestion, but likea call to action, or rather an
inaction.
It advises us against allowingthe unknown and the yet to
happen to disrupt our currentstate of mind.
(01:48):
Like how often do we findourselves consumed by worries
about office, politics and youknow your social life challenges
, your wife spending too muchmoney, or even the existential
questions about the distantfuture, like will I live to play
GTA 6?
(02:09):
You know I joke about that.
But these anxieties, will youknow they're preparing us.
They often serve only to createunnecessary stress and diminish
our enjoyment of the here andnow.
These anxieties, whileseemingly preparing us, often
(02:33):
serve only to create unnecessarystress and diminish our
enjoyment of the here and now.
Now, like a slow, sloppy BJ ona Sunday afternoon.
Who wants to be thrown out ofthat thought and that mindset of
(02:58):
ecstasy?
Who doesn't enjoy that?
Think about the energy weexpend worrying about things
that may never come to pass.
We build elaborate mentalnarratives of potential problems
(03:22):
, playing out worst casescenarios in our minds.
This mental rehearsal ofsuffering can be incredibly
draining, leaving us feelinganxious and overwhelmed even
before we encounter any actualdifficulty.
The quote encourages us torecognize this tendency and to
(03:44):
consciously choose not to letthese future projections disturb
our present tranquility.
The second part of the quoteoffers a powerful source of
reassurance.
You will meet it if you have to, with the same weapons of
reason which today arm youagainst the present.
(04:05):
It reminds us that we are notentering the future unarmed.
The future unarmed.
We possess the very samecognitive abilities, our reason,
our logic, our problem solvingskills that we use to navigate
the challenges of our currentreality.
Lord willing, guys, stay awayfrom our drugs and the love of a
(04:32):
woman that make you bust outthe windows of her car.
That is the only way, one of ofthe only ways, the surefire
ways that, uh, your reasoningand logic stays with you.
Trust me, I know.
Consider the obstacles you facedin the past.
You've navigated them, you'velearned from them.
(04:54):
You found solutions, foundsolutions.
You didn't possess some magicalfuture power that isn't
available to you now.
You use your intelligence, yourexperience and your capacity
for rational thought to addressthose situations.
This quote assures us that thefuture, when it arrives, will be
(05:14):
met with the same fundamentaltools that we employ today.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed bythe unknown nature of the
future.
It can seem vast andunpredictable, filled with
potential threats, but thisquote anchors us in the reality
of our own capabilities.
It reminds us that our capacityfor reason, for logical
(05:38):
thinking, for analyzingsituations and making informed
decisions is a constant.
It is our reliable companion,our inherent strength that
travels with us through time.
Think about a time where youwere deeply worried about
something in the future a jobinterview, a difficult
conversation, a health concern.
(06:00):
When the future arrived, youlikely drew upon the reasoning
skills that you possess tocommunicate, to understand the
situation.
You didn't suddenly become adifferent person, devoid of your
intelligence.
You use the same mind that iscurrently processed in this
(06:21):
podcast, the same mind thatnavigates your daily life.
The quote highlights cognitiveresources the ability to think
critically, to weigh options, tolearn and adapt.
These are not fleetingattributes that disappear when
we step into the future.
They are integral parts of whowe are, our weapons of reason.
(06:46):
They are always at our disposal.
This doesn't mean that thefuture won't present challenges.
It will.
Life is full of unexpectedtwists and turns.
Life is full of unexpectedtwists and turns.
However, the quote lies inshifting our focus from the
(07:08):
uncertainty of the future to thecertainty of our inherent
capacity to deal with it.
By trusting in our ability toreason and problem solve, we can
alleviate much of the anxietythat the unknown often generates
.
It's about cultivating a senseof inner confidence and our
ability to handle whatever comesour way, instead of being
(07:39):
paralyzed by fear of the unknownwe can find strength in the
knowledge that we possess themental tools to navigate it
effectively.
So how can we apply this wisdomin our daily lives?
One key is to become more awareof our thought patterns.
When we notice ourselves spiralinto the future-based anxieties
, we can gently remind ourselvesof this quote.
(08:01):
We can ask ourselves whatevidence do I have that I won't
be able to handle this if ithappens?
What skills and knowledge do Ipossess that I can draw upon?
Another helpful practice is tofocus on the present moment.
Mindfulness techniques such asmeditation or simply paying
(08:23):
attention to our breath and oursurroundings can help us anchor
ourselves in the here and now.
Another helpful practice is tofocus on the present moment.
Mindful techniques such asmeditation or simply paying
attention to our breath and oursurroundings can help us anchor
(08:44):
ourselves in the here and now,reducing power of the future
oriented worries.
We can also build our weaponsof reason by continuously
learning and growing.
The more knowledge and skillswe acquire, the better equipped
(09:04):
we are to face future challenges.
This isn't just about academiclearning or college and
certifications.
It includes developingemotional intelligence,
improving communication skillsand cultivating resilience in
(09:24):
the face of adversity.
Every experience, every lessonlearned strengthens our ability
to reason and adapt.
Again, guys using hard drugsand being involved romantically
with toxic women definitely slowdown obtaining your weapons of
reason.
Furthermore, it's important todiminish between productive
(09:53):
planning and unproductiveworrying.
Planning involves takingconcrete steps in the present to
prepare for potential futurescenarios.
Worrying, on the other hand, isoften a repetitive cycle of
negative thoughts that don'tlead to constructive action.
Often a repetitive cycle ofnegative thoughts that don't
(10:14):
lead to constructive action.
The quote encourages us to focuson the former and to let go of
the latter.
Ultimately, this quote offers apowerful message of self-trust
and present moment awareness.
It reminds us that our greateststrength lies not in predicting
(10:35):
or controlling the future,which is often impossible, but
in cultivating our innerresources and trusting in the
ability to navigate whatevercomes our way using the very
same intelligence and reasoningthat guides us today.
The very same intelligence andreasoning that guides us today.
By embracing this perspective,we can free ourselves from the
(11:00):
unnecessary burden of futureanxieties and find greater peace
and presence and the onlymoment that truly exists now.
Thank you for joining me on theaccording to west podcast.
Until next time, may you findpeace in the present and trust
(11:21):
in your inherent strength tomeet whatever the future holds.
Welcome to the According to Wes podcast.
I'm your host, wes, and I'mdedicated to cultivating calm
and resilience in a busy world,no matter what my family says.
But more on that at a laterdate.
Today we're delving into atimeless piece of wisdom, a
(00:23):
comforting reminder to staygrounded in the present.
Today we'll be exploring theprofound meaning behind the
quote never let the futuredisturb you.
You will meet it if you have to, with the same weapons of
reason which today arm youagainst the present.
(00:44):
Weapons of reason which todayarm you against the present.
This quote speaks directly toour tendency to get caught up in
anxieties about what lies ahead.
Our minds have a remarkable,sometimes troublesome, ability
(01:06):
to project into the future,conjuring up scenarios, worries
and uncertainties that can robus of our peace in the present
moment.
For example, will I live toplay gta six?
It just got delayed.
Kind of worried about that.
However, let's break down thefirst part of the quote Never
(01:28):
let the future disturb you.
This is more.
It's not a suggestion, but likea call to action, or rather an
inaction.
It advises us against allowingthe unknown and the yet to
happen to disrupt our currentstate of mind.
(01:48):
Like how often do we findourselves consumed by worries
about office, politics and youknow your social life challenges
, your wife spending too muchmoney, or even the existential
questions about the distantfuture, like will I live to play
GTA 6?
(02:09):
You know I joke about that.
But these anxieties, will youknow they're preparing us.
They often serve only to createunnecessary stress and diminish
our enjoyment of the here andnow.
These anxieties, whileseemingly preparing us, often
(02:33):
serve only to create unnecessarystress and diminish our
enjoyment of the here and now.
Now, like a slow, sloppy BJ ona Sunday afternoon.
Who wants to be thrown out ofthat thought and that mindset of
(02:58):
ecstasy?
Who doesn't enjoy that?
Think about the energy weexpend worrying about things
that may never come to pass.
We build elaborate mentalnarratives of potential problems
(03:22):
, playing out worst casescenarios in our minds.
This mental rehearsal ofsuffering can be incredibly
draining, leaving us feelinganxious and overwhelmed even
before we encounter any actualdifficulty.
The quote encourages us torecognize this tendency and to
(03:44):
consciously choose not to letthese future projections disturb
our present tranquility.
The second part of the quoteoffers a powerful source of
reassurance.
You will meet it if you have to, with the same weapons of
reason which today arm youagainst the present.
(04:05):
It reminds us that we are notentering the future unarmed.
The future unarmed.
We possess the very samecognitive abilities, our reason,
our logic, our problem solvingskills that we use to navigate
the challenges of our currentreality.
Lord willing, guys, stay awayfrom our drugs and the love of a
(04:32):
woman that make you bust outthe windows of her car.
That is the only way, one of ofthe only ways, the surefire
ways that, uh, your reasoningand logic stays with you.
Trust me, I know.
Consider the obstacles you facedin the past.
You've navigated them, you'velearned from them.
(04:54):
You found solutions, foundsolutions.
You didn't possess some magicalfuture power that isn't
available to you now.
You use your intelligence, yourexperience and your capacity
for rational thought to addressthose situations.
This quote assures us that thefuture, when it arrives, will be
(05:14):
met with the same fundamentaltools that we employ today.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed bythe unknown nature of the
future.
It can seem vast andunpredictable, filled with
potential threats, but thisquote anchors us in the reality
of our own capabilities.
It reminds us that our capacityfor reason, for logical
(05:38):
thinking, for analyzingsituations and making informed
decisions is a constant.
It is our reliable companion,our inherent strength that
travels with us through time.
Think about a time where youwere deeply worried about
something in the future a jobinterview, a difficult
conversation, a health concern.
(06:00):
When the future arrived, youlikely drew upon the reasoning
skills that you possess tocommunicate, to understand the
situation.
You didn't suddenly become adifferent person, devoid of your
intelligence.
You use the same mind that iscurrently processed in this
(06:21):
podcast, the same mind thatnavigates your daily life.
The quote highlights cognitiveresources the ability to think
critically, to weigh options, tolearn and adapt.
These are not fleetingattributes that disappear when
we step into the future.
They are integral parts of whowe are, our weapons of reason.
(06:46):
They are always at our disposal.
This doesn't mean that thefuture won't present challenges.
It will.
Life is full of unexpectedtwists and turns.
Life is full of unexpectedtwists and turns.
However, the quote lies inshifting our focus from the
(07:08):
uncertainty of the future to thecertainty of our inherent
capacity to deal with it.
By trusting in our ability toreason and problem solve, we can
alleviate much of the anxietythat the unknown often generates
.
It's about cultivating a senseof inner confidence and our
ability to handle whatever comesour way, instead of being
(07:39):
paralyzed by fear of the unknownwe can find strength in the
knowledge that we possess themental tools to navigate it
effectively.
So how can we apply this wisdomin our daily lives?
One key is to become more awareof our thought patterns.
When we notice ourselves spiralinto the future-based anxieties
, we can gently remind ourselvesof this quote.
(08:01):
We can ask ourselves whatevidence do I have that I won't
be able to handle this if ithappens?
What skills and knowledge do Ipossess that I can draw upon?
Another helpful practice is tofocus on the present moment.
Mindfulness techniques such asmeditation or simply paying
(08:23):
attention to our breath and oursurroundings can help us anchor
ourselves in the here and now.
Another helpful practice is tofocus on the present moment.
Mindful techniques such asmeditation or simply paying
attention to our breath and oursurroundings can help us anchor
(08:44):
ourselves in the here and now,reducing power of the future
oriented worries.
We can also build our weaponsof reason by continuously
learning and growing.
The more knowledge and skillswe acquire, the better equipped
(09:04):
we are to face future challenges.
This isn't just about academiclearning or college and
certifications.
It includes developingemotional intelligence,
improving communication skillsand cultivating resilience in
(09:24):
the face of adversity.
Every experience, every lessonlearned strengthens our ability
to reason and adapt.
Again, guys using hard drugsand being involved romantically
with toxic women definitely slowdown obtaining your weapons of
reason.
Furthermore, it's important todiminish between productive
(09:53):
planning and unproductiveworrying.
Planning involves takingconcrete steps in the present to
prepare for potential futurescenarios.
Worrying, on the other hand, isoften a repetitive cycle of
negative thoughts that don'tlead to constructive action.
Often a repetitive cycle ofnegative thoughts that don't
(10:14):
lead to constructive action.
The quote encourages us to focuson the former and to let go of
the latter.
Ultimately, this quote offers apowerful message of self-trust
and present moment awareness.
It reminds us that our greateststrength lies not in predicting
(10:35):
or controlling the future,which is often impossible, but
in cultivating our innerresources and trusting in the
ability to navigate whatevercomes our way using the very
same intelligence and reasoningthat guides us today.
The very same intelligence andreasoning that guides us today.
By embracing this perspective,we can free ourselves from the
(11:00):
unnecessary burden of futureanxieties and find greater peace
and presence and the onlymoment that truly exists now.
Thank you for joining me on theaccording to west podcast.
Until next time, may you findpeace in the present and trust
(11:21):
in your inherent strength tomeet whatever the future holds.
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