Freedom From the Future
Jude Star
In "Freedom From The Future," Jude Star reflects on how meditation helped him let go of unrealistic future expectations for happiness. He emphasizes the importance of appreciating the present moment instead of getting lost in dreams and comparisons. Through mindfulness, he finds freedom and fulfillment in everyday experiences, like washing dishes, rather than waiting for future achievements.
27 Apr 2025
My meditation and mindfulness practice has given me this freedom from the idea that I need some perfect thing in the future to be happy. I still want to have more impact on the world, I still want to live somewhere beautiful surrounded by people I love, I still want that partner that really gets me… but I no longer let these things distract me from the beauty of today.
I practice being here, now. When I wash dishes, I don’t rush or resent the process because there’s something more enjoyable to do later; I clean every plate as though it really matters. Because it does matter. And somehow I’ve even learned to genuinely enjoy washing dishes; something I never would have thought possible.
We may meditate in hopes that it will lower our stress and anxiety in everyday life, but the practice of meditation is actually about learning to embrace this moment, right now, even if it’s uncomfortable, imperfect, or even painful.