--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although I am no longer caught in the…" description: "\"“Although I am no longer caught in the past, the future seems like a ridiculous thing to me. Try to catch it, hold it in your hand. It disappears every..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/alice-hoffman-427_future_although-i-am-no-longer-caught-in-the-pa_451373.png" --- # Although I am no longer caught in the past, the future… ![“Although I am no longer caught in the past, the future seems like a ridiculous thing to me. Try to catch it, hold it in your hand. It disappears every time.” quote by Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/alice-hoffman-427_future_although-i-am-no-longer-caught-in-the-pa_451373.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/alice-hoffman-427_future_although-i-am-no-longer-caught-in-the-pa_451373.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/alice-hoffman-427_future_although-i-am-no-longer-caught-in-the-pa_451373.png) > ““Although I am no longer caught in the past, the future seems like a ridiculous thing to me. Try to catch it, hold it in your hand. It disappears every time.”” [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels detached from the past, and the future feels elusive and intangible, slipping away when pursued. **In simple terms:** Future feels impossible to grasp. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty, focus on present actions. Themes uncertainty future perception Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - creative projects - goal setting - mindfulness Key Concepts existentialism impermanence Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay grounded while planning ahead? - What can you control in an uncertain future? A Different Perspective The future may be shaped by actions, not merely observed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Past and future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-and-future/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I really don't get caught up in too much with the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desean-jackson/i-really-don-t-get-caught-up-in-too-much-with-the-past/) [DeSean Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desean-jackson/) > [Knowledge owns the past and future, as long as we've the information we've power over the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/knowledge-owns-the-past-and-future-as-long-as-we-ve-the-information/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [I fell empty like a plastic bag caught in the wind, I just wish someone would catch me and hold on to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-fell-empty-like-a-plastic-bag-caught-in-the-wind-i-just-wish/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dangerous thing, a name. Someone might catch hold of you by it, mightn't they?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/dangerous-thing-a-name-someone-might-catch-hold-of-you-by-it-mightn-t/) [Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/) > [Nah, you don't know me. Lightning above and a fire below me. You cannot catch me, cannot hold me, you cannot stop, much less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linkin-park/nah-you-don-t-know-me-lightning-above-and-a-fire-below-me-you-cannot/) [Linkin Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linkin-park/) > [Go away, you give philosophy nothing to catch hold of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenocrates/go-away-you-give-philosophy-nothing-to-catch-hold-of/) [Xenocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenocrates/) > [If you want to get rid of something . you need to catch hold of something :/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perfectionist/if-you-want-to-get-rid-of-something-you-need-to-catch-hold-of/) Perfectionist > [Catch hold of a leprechaun and don't let go,for he will tell you the address of the gold that is unknown. Happy St. Patrick's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/catch-hold-of-a-leprechaun-and-don-t-let-go-for-he-will-tell-you-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Talking about the future, like we had a clue. Never plans that one day, I'd be losing you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/talking-about-the-future-like-we-had-a-clue-never-plans-that-one-day/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [The normal present connects the past and the future through limitation. Contiguity results, crystallization by means of solidification. There also exists, however, a spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/the-normal-present-connects-the-past-and-the-future-through/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Past and future monopolize the poet’s sensory and intellectual faculties, detached from the immediate spectacle. These two philtres become utterly clear the moment one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andr-breton/past-and-future-monopolize-the-poet-s-sensory-and-intellectual/) [Andre Breton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andr-breton/) > [“As in other tests it was now the moment of decision; she was given a final chance to reverse the inevitable course of destiny—ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-bradley/as-in-other-tests-it-was-now-the-moment-of-decision-she-was-given-a/) [Don Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-bradley/) > [“The difference between past and future exists only when there is heat. The fundamental phenomenon that distinguishes the future from the past is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlo-rovelli/the-difference-between-past-and-future-exists-only-when-there-is-heat/) [Carlo Rovelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlo-rovelli/) > [When you are in the present moment, you break the continuity of your story, of past and future. Then true intelligence arises, and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-in-the-present-moment-you-break-the-continuity-of-your/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/i-have-realized-that-the-past-and-future-are-real-illusions-that-they/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) ## More by Alice Hoffman > [Women know things that men will never know. We keep the best secrets. We tell the best stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/women-know-things-that-men-will-never-know-we-keep-the-best-secrets/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“All of the quarters in his hand were tarnished. He had no idea that the silver in a man’s pockets always turns black if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/all-of-the-quarters-in-his-hand-were-tarnished-he-had-no-idea-that/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. I understood it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/but-most-important-of-all-she-explained-that-it-was-all-right-to-say/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“It was after dark when the woods were most filled with magic, when there were fireflies and the mist was rising from the streams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/it-was-after-dark-when-the-woods-were-most-filled-with-magic-when/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Never look back, that's what she's told herself. Don't think about swans or being alone in the dark. Don't think of storms, or lightning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/never-look-back-that-s-what-she-s-told-herself-don-t-think-about/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [This was what it meant to be human, to know that time moved and all things changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/this-was-what-it-meant-to-be-human-to-know-that-time-moved-and-all/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“She preferred cats to human beings and turned down every offer from the men who fell in love with her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/she-preferred-cats-to-human-beings-and-turned-down-every-offer-from/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [I'm a really eclectic reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/i-m-a-really-eclectic-reader/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [It's not the lie that's the problem; it's the distance the lie forges between you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/it-s-not-the-lie-that-s-the-problem-it-s-the-distance-the-lie-forges/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Her vision was going, but she could see him, the way people see clouds-beautiful, racing by, casting shadows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/her-vision-was-going-but-she-could-see-him-the-way-people-see-clouds/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [That's why there are ten gates to pass through before you reach the garden. If life were easy there would be one gate. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/that-s-why-there-are-ten-gates-to-pass-through-before-you-reach-the/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“...the summer of the gypsy moths when all the trees in their yard were bare, the leaves chewed by caterpillars. You could hear crunching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/the-summer-of-the-gypsy-moths-when-all-the-trees-in-their-yard-were/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“The best way to die is when you're living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/the-best-way-to-die-is-when-you-re-living/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Haylin was given a good talking-to by the headmaster and made to write a paper about workers’ rights, which he considered a privilege rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/haylin-was-given-a-good-talking-to-by-the-headmaster-and-made-to/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/my-darling-girl-when-are-you-going-to-realize-that-being-normal-is/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) [Explore all 571 Alice Hoffman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## More Future quotes > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [Football is my passion, and who knows where I will play in the future - you cannot foresee that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edinson-cavani/football-is-my-passion-and-who-knows-where-i-will-play-in-the-future/) [Edinson Cavani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edinson-cavani/) > [When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-allen/when-i-was-17-i-broke-up-with-my-future-wife/) [Kris Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-allen/) > [I think everybody in the future has stopped talking to each other and we all just use emojis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-think-everybody-in-the-future-has-stopped-talking-to-each-other-and/) [Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/) > [When you continue to dwell on the past, there's no chance for a future. History repeats itself, thus, it's ok to LOOK back at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-continue-to-dwell-on-the-past-there-s-no-chance-for-a-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [Starting a new job can be nerve-racking , but it's also exciting. You're embarking on a new future, positioning yourself to write a fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/starting-a-new-job-can-be-nerve-racking-but-it-s-also-exciting-you-re/) [Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/) [Browse all 12,349 Future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Although I am no longer caught in the past, the future seems like a ridiculous thing to me. Try to catch it, hold it in your hand. 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