--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is impossible for you to take power…" description: "\"It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real...\" — William P. Young" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/william-p-young-3038_impossible_it-is-impossible-for-you-to-take-power-o_1950066.jpg" --- # It is impossible for you to take power over the future… ![“It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real...” quote by William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/william-p-young-3038_impossible_it-is-impossible-for-you-to-take-power-o_1950066.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/william-p-young-3038_impossible_it-is-impossible-for-you-to-take-power-o_1950066.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/william-p-young-3038_impossible_it-is-impossible-for-you-to-take-power-o_1950066.jpg) > “It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real...” [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Future events are not concrete realities we can control; they are uncertain and not yet existent. **In simple terms:** You cannot control an unreal future. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and live presently. Themes future control uncertainty existence mindset Mood reflective hopeful Type existential motivational When to use this quote - personal planning - career decisions - relationship goals - mental health Key Concepts philosophy existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to “take power” over something that doesn’t exist? - How can we prepare for uncertain futures? A Different Perspective Future may become real through actions; denial can hinder preparation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“People who think inside the box are sometimes the ones who give the “impossible” its power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlena-jackson/people-who-think-inside-the-box-are-sometimes-the-ones-who-give-the/) [Charlena Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlena-jackson/) > [The future isn't a place that we're going to go, it's a place that you get to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-duarte/the-future-isn-t-a-place-that-we-re-going-to-go-it-s-a-place-that-you/) [Nancy Duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-duarte/) > [For many of us, we set out thinking there will be time in the future, and then suddenly we find ourselves at a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/for-many-of-us-we-set-out-thinking-there-will-be-time-in-the-future/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [I believe the pharma company of the future isn't going to be old-school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-ramaswamy/i-believe-the-pharma-company-of-the-future-isn-t-going-to-be-old/) [Vivek Ramaswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-ramaswamy/) > [An unlimited future. Isn't that what America is all about?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sher-valenzuela/an-unlimited-future-isn-t-that-what-america-is-all-about/) [Sher Valenzuela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sher-valenzuela/) > [I suddenly feel left out of a future that isn't even going to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jandy-nelson/i-suddenly-feel-left-out-of-a-future-that-isn-t-even-going-to-happen/) [Jandy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jandy-nelson/) > [The future isn't what is used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-berra/the-future-isn-t-what-is-used-to-be/) [Yogi Berra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-berra/) > [Well, the past is gone, I know that. The future isn't here yet, whatever it's going to be. So, all there is, is this.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-murray/well-the-past-is-gone-i-know-that-the-future-isn-t-here-yet-whatever/) [Bill Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-murray/) > [“I leaned back into my chair, folded my arms together and made like I was pondering. ‘I understand. You’re worried about the future.’ ‘Damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-polansky/i-leaned-back-into-my-chair-folded-my-arms-together-and-made-like-i/) [Daniel Polansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-polansky/) > [Do whatever you have to while there is chance for it, future isn't guaranteed, make the best of your present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/do-whatever-you-have-to-while-there-is-chance-for-it-future-isn-t/) [Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/) > [The future isn't just a place you'll go. It's a place you will invent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-duarte/the-future-isn-t-just-a-place-you-ll-go-it-s-a-place-you-will-invent/) [Nancy Duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-duarte/) > [So one predicts the future as much as one is cause. The future isn't a pattern laid out to abuse and bully you. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/so-one-predicts-the-future-as-much-as-one-is-cause-the-future-isn-t-a/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [Your future isn't programmed by your past; it's programmed by your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/your-future-isn-t-programmed-by-your-past-it-s-programmed-by-your/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [The future isn’t ahead of us. It has already happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kotler/the-future-isn-t-ahead-of-us-it-has-already-happened/) [Philip Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kotler/) > [Living in the past isn't going to give you a future. Living in the future isn't going to give you today. Live for today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/living-in-the-past-isn-t-going-to-give-you-a-future-living-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by William P. Young > [I don't want my kids growing up with the image of God that I had -- Plato's white grandfatherly god -- because that god…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-don-t-want-my-kids-growing-up-with-the-image-of-god-that-i-had/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Because you continue to inhabit and believe your metaphors, you cannot see what is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/because-you-continue-to-inhabit-and-believe-your-metaphors-you-cannot/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/religion-must-use-law-to-empower-itself-and-control-the-people-who/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Once you have hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law and the enforcement of the rules, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/once-you-have-hierarchy-you-need-rules-to-protect-and-administer-it/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“(Jesus speaking) "An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/jesus-speaking-an-awful-lot-of-what-is-done-in-my-name-has-nothing-to/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [This life is only the anteroom of a greater reality to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/this-life-is-only-the-anteroom-of-a-greater-reality-to-come/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [I often find that getting head issues out of the way first makes the heart stuff easier to work on later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-often-find-that-getting-head-issues-out-of-the-way-first-makes-the/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [For me, everything is about Jesus and Father and the Holy Spirit, and relationships, and life is an adventure of faith lived one day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/for-me-everything-is-about-jesus-and-father-and-the-holy-spirit-and/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to hold power over another is to chose to limit to onself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/relationships-are-never-about-power-and-one-way-to-avoid-the-will-to/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [It is my desire and intent to trust the multi-layered good purposes of God than in what humans fabricate out of their need and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/it-is-my-desire-and-intent-to-trust-the-multi-layered-good-purposes/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Jesus was always challenging the dogma of religion. So, you know, it's not like I'm out there by myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/jesus-was-always-challenging-the-dogma-of-religion-so-you-know-it-s/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [If anything matters, then everything matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/if-anything-matters-then-everything-matters/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-don-t-just-want-a-piece-of-you-and-a-piece-of-your-life-even-if-you/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/trust-is-the-fruit-of-a-relationship-in-which-you-know-you-are-loved/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Something in the heart of most human beings simply cannot abide pain inflicted on the innocent, especially children. Even broken men serving in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/something-in-the-heart-of-most-human-beings-simply-cannot-abide-pain/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) [Explore all 138 William P. Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) ## 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": "It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real...", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William P. 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