Ever feel like life is one big staircase? You’re climbing, climbing, climbing… until you finally reach the top only to realize the view isn’t all that great—and there’s nowhere else to go. Welcome to the paradox of modern life, where we’re taught to defer happiness to a future that never quite arrives.
As humans, we’re master procrastinators when it comes to living. We work tirelessly through school, jobs, and countless milestones, all while believing the next step is where the magic happens. “Just graduate,” they say. “Just get that promotion.” And when that doesn’t quite deliver? “Ah, retirement! That’ll be it!” Of course, by the time you hit retirement, you’re possibly more acquainted with aches, pains, and weird health supplements than the joys of relaxation.
But here’s the kicker: the future is a mirage. Alan Watts, the eloquent philosopher behind this idea, doesn’t just drop this truth bomb to deflate your motivational bubble—he offers a lifeline: live in the Eternal Now.
Why Postponing Life is a Recipe for Dissatisfaction
The obsession with working for a better tomorrow isn’t just an exhausting treadmill—it’s a cultural delusion. We’ve been conditioned to see progress as the pinnacle of human existence, but in the mad scramble for “better,” we miss the raindrops crawling down the window, the present moment’s beauty.
Take this gem from Watts: “If you watch a raindrop crawl down a window and think, ‘How wonderful!’ most people will look at you like you’ve lost your marbles.” Society trains us to measure worth by productivity and achievement, not by our capacity to savor the ordinary.
The Future: A Carrot on a Stick
Watts compares living for the future to being a donkey chasing a carrot dangling just out of reach. We’re forever running, eyes locked on that promise of “someday,” but when someday arrives, we’ve already set our sights on the next carrot. It’s a perpetual cycle of wanting more and never having enough.
Even our money, Watts humorously points out, is based on illusion. What’s a dollar bill but a symbol of a promise? If all we do is chase promises—financial or otherwise—without ever pausing to enjoy what we already have, then we’ve fallen prey to one of the biggest illusions of all: that our happiness lies anywhere but here and now.
Why Living in the Present Isn’t Irresponsible
Now, you might think that living in the moment sounds lazy or indulgent. Shouldn’t we focus on progress, on creating a better world? Watts flips this notion on its head. He argues that by being fully present and truly enjoying life, we actually reduce aggression, greed, and the desire to control others.
The rat race, on the other hand, often leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, and destructive behaviors. Living in the Eternal Now isn’t about shirking responsibility—it’s about living deeply and authentically, finding meaning in every breath rather than deferring it to a future that may never come.
The Art of Enjoying the Ordinary
Living in the present doesn’t require you to quit your job, abandon your goals, or retreat to a monastery. It’s about shifting your mindset. Whether it’s appreciating a tree swaying in the wind or truly tasting your morning coffee, the present moment holds an infinite richness that’s easy to overlook.
Watts highlights the beauty of simplicity:
- Let go of unnecessary complexity: You don’t need to overconsume or hoard. Living simply opens the door to greater appreciation.
- Appreciate what is: Watching a raindrop, feeling the warmth of the sun, or hearing the rustle of leaves can bring profound peace.
Breaking the Illusion: Timeless Living
Watts doesn’t deny the value of progress or technology. Instead, he warns against becoming hypnotized by the idea that they hold the key to happiness. The obsession with a “better future” often blinds us to the present’s treasures.
By embracing timeless living—where you’re not chained to the clock or future outcomes—you unlock a new way of being. Imagine this: instead of rushing to “get somewhere,” every moment becomes an arrival. Walking becomes joyful, breathing becomes peaceful, and even mundane activities feel infused with meaning.
The Takeaway
Life isn’t about climbing an endless staircase or chasing an elusive carrot. It’s about learning to stop, breathe, and be. By practicing presence, you can free yourself from the tyranny of “someday” and rediscover the beauty in “now.”
Watts’ timeless wisdom reminds us: the future is an illusion, but this moment—this breath—is as real and as rich as it gets. So why not live fully, right here, right now?