---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The future is very much in our hands--in…"
description: "\"The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.\" — Sogyal Rinpoche"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png"
---

#  The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.

![“The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.” quote by Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png)

> “The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.”

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Our actions shape the future; we hold responsibility for what comes next.

**In simple terms:** Our deeds create tomorrow.

Key Takeaway

Act responsibly now.

Themes

responsibility future agency mindfulness empowerment

Mood

reflective determined

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal decisions
- environmental policy
- education reform
- career choices

Key Concepts

free will consequences ethical living

Questions to Reflect On

- What actions today will affect your future?
- How do you balance personal and collective responsibility?

A Different Perspective

Future outcomes are also influenced by external forces beyond personal control.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-hands-268305/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hands Actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands-actions-3935572/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Our actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-actions/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [What kind of nation we will be, what kind of world we will live in, whether we shape the future in the image of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/what-kind-of-nation-we-will-be-what-kind-of-world-we-will-live-in/)

[Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/)

> [Though some choices may slow our journey, every path we take gives us more familiarity with how our actions affect the world around us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-underwood/though-some-choices-may-slow-our-journey-every-path-we-take-gives-us/)

[Matthew Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-underwood/)

> [Lust is the source of all our actions, and humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/lust-is-the-source-of-all-our-actions-and-humanity/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [We don't have enough time to premeditate our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/we-don-t-have-enough-time-to-premeditate-our-actions/)

[Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/)

> [Just because we go through a difficult situation, it doesn’t mean that the future is predetermined. The future is very much in our hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/just-because-we-go-through-a-difficult-situation-it-doesn-t-mean-that/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [For most of us, karma and negative emotions obscure the ability to see our own intrinsic nature, and the nature of reality. As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/for-most-of-us-karma-and-negative-emotions-obscure-the-ability-to-see/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The future was in our own hands. If we wanted a world where such things were possible, it was for us to make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/the-future-was-in-our-own-hands-if-we-wanted-a-world-where-such/)

[Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/)

> [The future is in our hands. We are not hapless bystanders. We can influence whether we have a planet of peace, social justice, equity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolfensohn/the-future-is-in-our-hands-we-are-not-hapless-bystanders-we-can/)

[James Wolfensohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolfensohn/)

> [My future is in the hands of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk/my-future-is-in-the-hands-of-god/)

[Hulk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk/)

> [Remember, grab you're future with both hands and mold it into what you want it to be. It's the determined, who create the life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-watson/remember-grab-you-re-future-with-both-hands-and-mold-it-into-what-you/)

[James D. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-watson/)

> [The future is out of my hands; it is in God's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-dos-anjos/the-future-is-out-of-my-hands-it-is-in-god-s/)

[Rafael dos Anjos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-dos-anjos/)

> [Fuck your past. The future is in your hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fuck-your-past-the-future-is-in-your-hands/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“‎I cannot alter the past, but the future is very much in my hands.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lydon-simonsen/i-cannot-alter-the-past-but-the-future-is-very-much-in-my-hands/)

[Mary Lydon Simonsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lydon-simonsen/)

> [You hold your future in your own hands. Never waver in this belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-frederick-treves-1st-baronet/you-hold-your-future-in-your-own-hands-never-waver-in-this-belief/)

[Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-frederick-treves-1st-baronet/)

> [The future is in the hands of those who can give tomorrow's generations valid reasons to live and hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/the-future-is-in-the-hands-of-those-who-can-give-tomorrow-s/)

[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/)

## More by Sogyal Rinpoche

> [That goodness is what survives death, a fundamental goodness that is in each and every one of us. The whole of our life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/that-goodness-is-what-survives-death-a-fundamental-goodness-that-is/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/why-exactly-are-we-so-frightened-of-death-that-we-avoid-looking-at-it/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The masters say if you create an auspicious condition in your body and your environment then meditation and realization will automatically arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-masters-say-if-you-create-an-auspicious-condition-in-your-body/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying? What more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/at-every-moment-in-our-lives-we-need-compassion-but-what-more-urgent/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [Theories are like patches on a coat, one day they just wear off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/theories-are-like-patches-on-a-coat-one-day-they-just-wear-off/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [{While meditating} I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/while-meditating-i-sit-quietly-and-rest-in-the-nature-of-mind-i-don-t/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The most essential thing in life is to establish an unafraid, heartfelt communication with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-most-essential-thing-in-life-is-to-establish-an-unafraid/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The definition of mantra is "that which protects the mind." That which protects the mind from negativity, or that which protects you from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-definition-of-mantra-is-that-which-protects-the-mind-that-which/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [If all we know of mind is the aspect of mind that dissolves when we die, we will be left with no idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/if-all-we-know-of-mind-is-the-aspect-of-mind-that-dissolves-when-we/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [Western laziness consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so that there is no time at all to confront the real issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/western-laziness-consists-of-cramming-our-lives-with-compulsive/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The key to finding a happy balance in modern lives is simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-key-to-finding-a-happy-balance-in-modern-lives-is-simplicity/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The purpose of meditation is to awaken in us the sky-like nature of mind, and to introduce us to that which we really are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-awaken-in-us-the-sky-like-nature-of/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [The real glory of meditation lies not in any method but in its continual living experience of presence, in its bliss, clarity, peace, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-real-glory-of-meditation-lies-not-in-any-method-but-in-its/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [Samsara is the mind turned outwardly, lost in its projections. Nirvana is the mind turned inwardly, recognizing its true nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/samsara-is-the-mind-turned-outwardly-lost-in-its-projections-nirvana/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

> [“The simplicity of total trust is one of the most powerful forces in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-simplicity-of-total-trust-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-forces-in/)

[Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

[Explore all 144 Sogyal Rinpoche quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sogyal Rinpoche"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in-our-actions/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in-our-actions/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_action_the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in_2061631.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.” — Sogyal Rinpoche",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sogyal Rinpoche",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The future is very much in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in-our-actions/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-future-is-very-much-in-our-hands-in-our-actions/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
