Every word of every day in every language, everywhere, is the dream of a tomorrow. Instead, there is always today.w

What is this inherent tendency to postpone the bright promise of the future, settling for the easier present? Whether it be a simple or a complex matter, or decisions in life, the burden is placed on tomorrow.

Is “tomorrow” used literally or figuratively?

Literally, it is of the day, after the current day. Figuratively, of future periods or times. The concept of tomorrow is elusive.

“Tomorrow” is usually considered just beyond the present and counter to yesterday.

Tomorrow has no reality, since every day is experiences as today.

“Morrow” which is an archaic or likely word meaning “the following day” comes from Old English “morgen”. Similar Indo-European languages have similar origins which have undertaken evolvement of the meaning. It is the same word in any language.

This habit of delaying life’s issues is universal and prevalent since childhood. Is it a human trait? Certainly it is developed with the years, blossoming into a full-fledged state of inactivity. Be it out of laziness, indecision or anxiety, we escape the present predicament, blinding ourselves to reality and finding excuses and justifications to avoid commitment. Our solution is to wait for tomorrow.

Our day begins and ends with explanations and alibis for inaction on the slightest pretext. “I’ll do it later”, “I’ll do it tomorrow”, “I’ll start next week, next month, next year,” and we have solid reasons to cover-up and postpone the inevitable. We are just guilty, prolonging the inevitable.

So the days go on by, hoping that everything will get done, tomorrow. There is a philosophy in this sense of freedom, breaking the imprisoned chains of duty. One is often tempted to forswear duty.

Procrastination is a mighty power, aiding our daily chores. Even its etymology is a combination of Latin, “to put off till tomorrow” and the Greek, akrasia, “the state of acting against your better judgement.”

To taste the fruit of the tree once forbidden is haunting. To feel the joyful sense of relief and comfort, appeases the intolerable tedium putting off tomorrow.

Tomorrow becomes indefinite, turning it to a distant future. It weighs on the conscience and is not idle. It measures its repetitions in the stories told, the films, the poems, the songs, the laments.

Charles Aznavour bemoans the doleful regrets of wasted youth in his popular song Hier Encore, translated into English, “Yesterday, when I was Young” as well as in Danish, Japanese, Greek and a host of other versions, speaking a universal cry of lingering regrets.

In the poignant play of Anton Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters”, dream of changing lives in Moscow, clinging to the hope of unfulfilled potential: “I dream of Moscow every night. We’re moving in June”. June never comes, not July, not ever. The symbol of futile dreams of tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow is definitely on every mind, but procrastination steps in to stop every action, break every promise, kill every dream. Were it be better to kill procrastination itself?

Procrastination is a coping mechanism, intentionally delaying every potential, harming ourselves in the process. Breaking the dependence on delaying tactics can be weaned off the habit of indecision, instead of humming and hawing until tomorrow. It is pitiable to get in the way of negative emotions resulting in anxiety, fear, insecurity, and low self- esteem.

A successful strategy is to find a better reward is to embrace today rather than wait for the unattainable tomorrow. In business there is no time for tomorrow.

Putting off tasks for the future is a common human tendency, since childhood. A tendency need not be a habitual behaviour. Experience should not be ignored.

Tomorrow never existed. Tomorrow never comes because it is always today. Yesterday and tomorrow are but illusions. The only certainty is that “now” is happening right at this moment. To say it often enough, ad infinitum, we can never have a tomorrow.

As mystical as it sounds, does the mathematical concept exist, independent of the mind? Can we define it? Has anyone ever lived it?

Even the best of intentions does not mean those intentions are imminent. Unexpected events and circumstances are always intervene to alter future plans.

Start that book, take your holiday, change your job — avoid the rut, remove your doubt. Even if your tendency lacks your commitment, bigger headaches can be insurmountable if you waver. Showing irresolution or uncertainty is a pitfall of despair.

The rushing world had no heed. One is often tempted to forswear duty for an unsure tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the most important thing in life.

It comes at the hour of midnight and it evaporates.

What is left is maybe yesterday, definitely today.

Let us forget about tomorrow, the best time is now — or never.

“Tomorrow never comes, it is always today.”

Acharya Rajneesh (1931- 1990)

* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 August, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly