Neither in the Past nor in the Future, Life is in the Present. Live It Fully
The Dichotomy: Living in the Present but Wandering Elsewhere
Most of the time majority of the people either keep thinking about their past or keep planning about the future rather than living in the Present. They spend a lot of their time either missing the past or regretting many things about the past or getting worried, or planning, about the future. Too much dwelling in the past or in future does not really help.
Thinking too much about the past generally don’t bring good memories and experiences for people. While thinking about the past, feelings of guilt, regret, hurt by other persons words or actions, and missed opportunities keep coming to people’s mind. Occasionally people feel good by remembering some good experiences and memories. However, if you do an analysis of the content from your past, you will realize that most of your memories are about bad experiences, missed opportunities, mistakes, regrets, hurt etc.
A lot of people keep talking about their past and about how their closed ones have hurt them or taken advantage of their generosity. Also, there are many people who keep grudge of past behavior of others and it becomes very difficult (or almost impossible) for them to get out of the past and experience the life the way it is unfolding. Despite not getting much by thinking about the past life, majority of the people continue to dwell there.
Similarly, thinking too much about the future generally make people anxious and worried about what may happen ahead. Whether it is about the exam results, getting a job, retaining the job, relationships, a business deal or even some minor issues, people unnecessarily keep thinking about what may happen in future. Because of it, they are not able to fully live in the present moment.
By dwelling too much in the past and/or in future, people miss their present. But sometimes going to the past or thinking about the future may be useful.
Occasionally, being in the Past and in Future is Useful
At times thinking about the past, recalling the experiences that we have had, lessons that we have learned, and remembering the moments that we cherish is very important. The insights that we got about ourselves, other people and the world is because of our past experiences. We learn from our mistakes that we have made in the past. Also, learning from the past help us in making decisions about our future. So, at times going to, and thinking about, the past is important. Without remembering our past, we cannot function effectively. Our past in a way helps in laying the foundation for our future.
Also, we feel good when we recall some good experiences that we had with our closed ones. At times, we all talk about our school and college days. We talk about what all (mis)adventures we did during our school or college time. We also talk about our past relationships (our crushes and affairs) that make us feel nostalgic at times. So, past contains a lot of learnings and good memories. But like too much of anything, living too much in the past may not be very helpful.
As sometimes thinking about the past is useful, so is to think and plan about the future. If you will not think about the future, then how will you set goals for yourself and how will you make plans and strategies to achieve those goals? Thinking about future help us in setting goals for ourselves, our department or organization or even for society and the country. You cannot make a future without thinking about it. At times thinking and planning about the future is necessary. But to keep thinking about, and living in, the future does not help at all.
Live in the Present: Your Present will Make Your Future
Can you do or achieve anything just by thinking about, or living in, the past or the future? Can you live happily just by thinking about the past or the future? To do or achieve anything or to feel happy, you have to live in the present.
You cannot undo things that have happened in the past. You cannot bring people or memories from past to the present. Also, you cannot do anything just by thinking about the future. Whatever has been destined to happen, will happen.
Past is gone and you don’t know what may happen in future. Why to keep dwelling there? So, stop regretting about the past and worrying about the future. Life is taking place in the present moment. Here and Now is under your control, past and future are not. You can act in the present moment only.
If you act in the present moment, based on learnings and insights that you have got from your past, you can make future of your choice.
However, living in the Present is a lot easier said than done. You have to put a lot of efforts to keep yourself in the present moment. You need to pay full attention to yourself and become aware of yourself. Pay attention to your surroundings. Observe things around you. Become mindful. It can help you to be a lot more productive and happier in your life.
