You should give yourself three cheers if you cared enough about provident living to look up this web site! That means that you are probably one of a small percentage of people who have the foresight to pay attention to the future and not only the present. Yes, I’ve read the quotes pervading the internet and other places about the importance of living in the present, and I believe in such wisdom to a point. After all, I grew up singing a hymn titled, Improve the Shining Moments. However, there is danger in living so much in our own space and moment that we ignore the future or the impact of our actions on others.
Back in the 60’s the attitude was similar. The song Today was beautiful, but it shared the same philosophy of living in the moment and not worrying about the future. The whole Hippie movement was built upon such a philosophy. However, I remember hearing about what happened to many of those hippies down the road when they hit the stark reality of the future and they found their lives in shambles. I visited San Francisco as a child during the late 60’s. While there I witnessed a ragged, barefooted, young adult with matted hair, digging through a garbage can along the sidewalk and fishing out a half-eaten sandwich, which he hungrily devoured. This image was indelibly etched in my mind. I remember my mother commenting that she wondered if his family knew where he was. Perhaps that is why the idea of preparing for all kinds of future possibilities including personal crisis or even more widespread disasters has been important to me. Sometimes those who have not considered the future find themselves facing stark reality they hadn’t thought possible.
I know a lot of people currently who are seeking fun and entertainment rather than provident living. Sure it isn’t “fun” or entertaining to prepare for a crisis. There are things I would rather spend my time doing too, but it is responsible and wise to look ahead and “get your ducks in line.” So again, congratulations for being here!