I was conversing with a friend the other day, and she hit on a point that I have been pondering on since. She said that she lives in the future with little regard for the present. How many of us do that? Often life passes me by with no memories attached as my focus is on the future–graduation, new job, moving, new house, etc., etc., etc. There will always be a goal but I do not want to live in the future and only exist in the present. My children are growing up fast, and my body and mind are aging at a frighteningly rapid pace. I have to wonder– will I wake up one morning and wonder who I am, or how I arrived here? Will I recognize myself when that day comes?
I do want to live in the now. I desire to have fun and make memories with my children and friends. I want to focus on my children, listen to what they are saying, and share in their stories and dreams. I desire to work on my own dreams in the now, and not wait for a “good” time to do it. I may not be able to play piano at this time, but I can pull out my pencil, paper and sketch a picture like I used to. I believe that living in the present takes effort and courage, but I’m up for it.
I’ve often been told that I need to plan for the future more, but I agree with you that you need to enjoy the present as well. I like to live my life to the fullest and maybe have a little plan, but mostly just worry about now.
I can identify with your statements about your children are growing up and you have trouble with the memories. I often look back and try to remember pieces of time or certain events. I never realized how many things I have trouble remembering because I did not see their importance at the time.
I beleived I had the “long term plan” all figured out with career and family. What I have learned is that you never know what the future will bring. It is true that you have to make some kind of plan for the future, but I know now how important it is to live in the present. The future is not always as you picture it, and it is not always within your control.
I think it is wonderful that you have realized the importance of the present. This will take courage and effort, but I know you can do it!
I live in the future to. I am always looking foreward to things coming up. I tend to wonder what life is going to be like after graduation? Will I marry my boyfriend? Will I have a good job? And most importantly I’ve always had this dream to retire by the age of 35. I know it seems unreachable, but it is something I would personally like to accomplish. I guess looking foreward to what is waiting is a way for me to avoid all the havoc in my life now. School and work is beginning to take its toll on me and looking foreward to bettering my life is what gets me through it all. It is important to live in the present but I must never forget what awaits me after college.
Now is good. The future is uncertain. It’s the little things you remember when you are older, not the race for something you thought was important. It is the time spent with a friend, the softball game at the park, the sunset over the mountains, the first butterfly of Spring, the taste of a wild blackberry and the taste of the first time swimming in an ocean. Savor these fleeting moments.