"What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?"

Thomas Kempis, a 15th-century German-Dutch theologian and author of "The Imitation of Christ", typically explored styles of spirituality, the human condition, and the pursuit of inner peace. In the quote, "What else does stress and anxiety about the future bring you however sadness upon sadness?" Kempis succinctly records the devastating nature of stress and anxiety and its propensity to intensify suffering.

The yearning to control or predict the future is a typical human impulse, rooted in both worry of the unidentified and a desire for security. However, Kempis suggests that this focus on future uncertainties exacts a substantial emotional toll. Anxiety about what lies ahead not only fails to offer clearness or services but likewise worsens one's distress. It creates a psychological echo chamber where concerns increase, possibly resulting in sensations of helplessness or despondency.

By utilizing the expression "grief upon grief", Kempis highlights the cumulative impact of anxiety. Each layer of concern includes weight to one's emotional concern, making it progressively tough to browse both present situations and future challenges. This build-up can obscure moments of pleasure, satisfaction, or peace, as the mind becomes preoccupied with prospective negative results rather than valuing the present.

Kempis implicitly promotes for a shift in focus-- far from an anxious anticipation of the future and toward a much deeper trust in the unfolding of life. This point of view aligns with spiritual teachings that encourage surrender and faith, suggesting that giving up the illusion of control can lead to higher internal serenity.

In contemporary times, Kempis' message stays pertinent. In a fast-paced world filled with instability and fast modification, the inclination to stress is omnipresent. Yet, by recognizing the damaging cycle of anxiety, one might look for a more present-oriented frame of mind, cultivating durability and finding solace in the here and now. Approval and mindfulness are some contemporary strategies echoing his timeless wisdom, providing useful ways to reduce the griefs brought by future stress and anxieties.