Discover the transformative power of handwriting with FuturingNote.com, where ancient wisdom meets modern introspection. Dive into the art of ‘futuring’, using notebooks to navigate life’s journey with intention. Embrace this call to reconnect with the ‘human’ in us, transcending the digital divide, one heartfelt note at a time.
Thank you for stopping by FuturingNote.com. Whether you intentionally sought out our site or stumbled upon it by chance, I believe you might be encountering challenges in your note-taking process.
To commence this introductory blog post, let’s first delve into the essence of our site’s name: ‘futuring’ and ‘note’.
Futuring (verb): A structured approach to formulating ideas about the future and strategizing based on potential future scenarios. Individuals engaged in this process view the current world as a “portal” to potential future developments.
In simple terms: futuring is the act of planning for your future.
Note: based on Google’s English dictionary provided by Oxford Languages.
Noun – a brief record of points or ideas written down as an aid to memory
In the modern era of smart technologies that fit conveniently in your pocket and the palm of your hand, the traditional concepts of ‘record’ and ‘aid to memory’ are becoming obsolete. This leaves us with the enduring significance of ‘points and ideas,’ a notion that remains relevant even today. From the ancient practice of inscribing on stones thousands of years ago to the present, the act of expressing ‘points and ideas’ by applying pressure to a surface with a sharp pointed object has persisted.
A process know as writing.
Verb – notice or pay particular attention to (something).
Absolutely crucial, particularly when considering your own future, a subject that merits “paying particular attention.” In the Chinese translation of the word ‘future’ – 未来 ‘wei lai’, it explicitly denotes ‘yet to’ + ‘come’ = ‘yet to come.’ As a result, there are countless ways and methods to plan for the future, including setting personal goals and crafting life plans. This process is profoundly human, which is beyond the reach of existing technologies to decide for us. Without this autonomy, the world would resemble the scenario depicted in the Matrix movie, where machines control the free will of human beings.
In simple terms: a note is a profound human process of planning for one’s future through writing
Futuring + Note = A deeply human process involves planning for the future through the proper process of handwritten notes.
Three decades later, in the 2020s, her foresight proved accurate. Communication has shifted towards a colder, less human screen-to-screen exchange dominated by text and emojis, diminishing the warmth of person-to-person interaction. Trust is waning both among individuals and nations, with more negative news than positive ones flooding headlines. The rise in mental health issues has become increasingly prevalent. Whether my grandmother possessed the ability to predict the future or if it was purely a product of her life’s wisdom is a subjective question. I am inclined to attribute it to the latter, as it is essentially the vanishing ‘human’ elements she envisioned that has given rise to these negative developments.
Grandmother’s Wisdom
The notion of incorporating ‘human’ elements in the aforementioned context draws significant inspiration from the wisdom imparted by my grandmother. In 1992, at the age of 80, she witnessed scenes in movies portraying individuals communicating through monitor screens, similar to the modern video conferences. She shared a profound insight with us: “If a day comes when such screen-based communication among human beings becomes commonplace, the world will undergo a profound transformation.”
How does this relate to notebooks?
It centers around the gradual shift from the human process of handwriting to the prevalent use of screen-tapping. Technological progress over the years has empowered us to accomplish more with less effort, evolving from physical snail mail to emails and robust messaging apps, and from traditional transportation like legs and horses to cars and even flying cars. Similarly, face-to-face interactions have transformed into screen-to-screen exchanges. However, it’s crucial to recognize that these advancements should not undermine the essential human elements that foster connections between individuals.
Engaging in the process of handwriting notes creates a meaningful connection with oneself. Essentially, the true purpose of a notebook in the contemporary era is to serve as a medium for personal introspection and reflection. When confronted with challenges, our instinct is to seek external solutions, turning to perceived experts, online search engines, forums, and more. However, we often overlook a crucial individual in this quest for answers – ourselves. Regardless of age, each of us possesses decades of life experience, encompassing unique highs and lows. A notebook emerges as one of the most readily available and economical mediums for turning inward and finding solutions within oneself.
Reflecting on my experience in authoring my first book, I was humbled to discover a wealth of wisdom within myself through thoughtful planning using a handwritten notebook. Amidst the myriad insights gained from decades of life experience, one notable gem emerged during this introspective process, the aforementioned ‘Grandmother’s Wisdom.’ It was a story I uncovered while delving into my own thoughts and reflections through handwriting notes.
You, too, can engage in this transformative process. Envision the boundless possibilities if each of us taps into our own inner wisdom instead of relying solely on the insights of a select few. Together, we can create a significantly better world.
As we stand on the brink of this exploration into the universe of our connection with notebooks, we’re reminded of the endless possibilities that await us. Notebooks, more than mere repositories of thoughts and ideas, are bridges to our inner selves, canvases for our creativity, and archives of our journeys through life. They hold the potential to transform mere thoughts into tangible realities, to serve as companions through our moments of inspiration and reflection, and to bear witness to the evolution of our personal and professional lives.
As we delve deeper into understanding this connection, let’s embrace the opportunity to rediscover the joy of writing by hand, the thrill of a fresh page, and the satisfaction of filling notebooks with the essence of our experiences. May we find in them a source of inspiration, a means of self-expression, and a path to mindfulness in our fast-paced world.
Let’s not see this as an end but as a beginning, a first step into a journey of exploration, understanding, and connection. The pages of your notebooks are waiting to be filled with your very own stories, ideas, and dreams. So, grab your favorite pen, flip to a new fresh page, and let the adventure begin. Together, let’s start futuring, one note at a time.
Summary
“FuturingNote.com introduces the concept of ‘futuring’ through notes, emphasizing the significance of handwritten reflection in planning for the future. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of past generations, it highlights the importance of personal introspection and the human element in our digital age, advocating for a return to more meaningful, personal connections.” ~~~
Actionable advice:
To begin, ask yourself two simple yet deeply personal questions:
- One task that felt meaningful
- One task that felt draining
It can be anything, and from any time frame. Today, this week, or even an ongoing responsibility.
There are no right or wrong answers. What matters is noticing how different parts of your day make you feel. Over time, these small observations reveal powerful patterns about where your energy is going, and where your future may be quietly pointing toward.
Futuring Note 