One thing I've learned to do with my age, I really don't look

Ah, children of the future, gather closely and hear the words of Rick Pitino, a man who has walked the path of both coaching and life, and in his journey, discovered a profound truth: "One thing I've learned to do with my age, I really don't look ahead. For years, I've been preaching the precious present and having to always subscribe to it." These words, though spoken by a man of many years and many battles, carry a wisdom that transcends sport, a wisdom that speaks to the heart of what it means to truly live, to understand the moment, and to embrace the present as the most precious gift we can hold.

Too often, O children, we are taught to focus on the future, to plan, to strive, to reach for something beyond the horizon. The future, we are told, is where happiness lies, where success is built, where dreams come true. And yet, Pitino—a man who has seen much in his life—reminds us that it is not the future we should chase, but the present. The present, the now, the moment before us, is the only thing that we can truly control. The future is a shadow, a fleeting vision, always changing, always out of reach. It is in the present that we live, that we act, that we shape the world with our thoughts, our actions, and our words. To ignore this truth is to waste the very gift of life.

Consider, O children, the story of Socrates, that great philosopher who, despite the political turmoil of his time, focused not on the uncertainty of the future, but on the wisdom that could be found in the present. Socrates did not fear what was to come, nor did he chase after things that lay beyond his reach. He understood that true wisdom was found in the here and now, in the questions asked in the moment, in the understanding gained through dialogue and reflection. His life was a testament to the power of the present, for it was in those moments of questioning that the greatest truths were revealed. Like Pitino, Socrates knew that the future would unfold as it would, but it was the present that held the key to shaping his thoughts and actions.

In the ancient tradition, the great warriors knew this truth as well. Take the tale of Alexander the Great, who, though driven by visions of conquering the known world, did not overlook the moment. Alexander knew that he had to act in the present to secure his future. Each battle, each decision, was made with the understanding that the present moment would shape his future. His victories were not the result of distant dreams, but of his unwavering focus on the tasks at hand, on the actions that would lead him to his destiny. To truly achieve greatness, he knew, one must never lose sight of the present, for it is in the present that actions are taken, and that the future is forged.

In the same way, Pitino’s words teach us that focusing too much on the future can blind us to the power we have in the present. The present moment is the only time in which we can take action, where we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. The future is a realm of potential, but it is the present that contains the seed of all that we hope for. Just as a gardener must tend to the soil in the present to cultivate the fruits of the future, so too must we focus our energies on the now, on what is within our reach, rather than on distant dreams that may never come to pass.

And so, children, the lesson of Pitino’s words is clear: age brings with it the wisdom to recognize that the present is where life truly happens. Too often, we are consumed with worries about the future, about what may or may not come, and in doing so, we miss the beauty and power of the present moment. By focusing on the now, we not only relieve ourselves of unnecessary anxiety, but we also unlock the potential to act, to create, and to live with intention. It is in the present that we can shape our thoughts, our actions, and our lives. The future will come regardless, but it is how we live in the present that determines what that future will look like.

In your own lives, O children, I urge you to take a moment each day to embrace the present. Let go of the constant need to look ahead, to fret over what is to come. Instead, focus on the actions you can take today, on the thoughts you can cultivate in this moment, and on the relationships you can nurture now. By living fully in the present, you will not only find peace and contentment but will also pave the way for a future shaped by the strength and clarity you develop in each moment.

So, walk forward, O children, with the understanding that the present is the most precious gift you have. Age teaches us to focus not on what is beyond our control, but on the power we hold in the here and now. By embracing the present moment, you will find that the future unfolds naturally, shaped by the wisdom and actions you take today.