Live in the present, in the here and now. The past and the future each has its proper place but now is all we have. The past is what made us who we are, the good and the bad. The past informs and educates us to hopefully make better choices now and in the future. We can also use the past fruitfully to remember and honor loved ones and beloved memories or entertain others with funny anecdotes, as long as we don't spend an excessive amount of time way back there. But, using the past to rehash old grudges and slights, real or perceived, serves no useful purpose. We all know someone who continually rehashes an old job where they were treated badly, a painful family experience now long over, or some other old dusty memory, frequently a bad memory. What is the point of this? The past can't be changed and often doesn't even matter anymore. It stops us from enjoying now, which then slips away into yet another missed opportunity to do something fulfilling, improve ourselves, and appreciate life.
There are those who spend too much time in the future, on their grand plan 20 years from now or the great things they plan to do "after retirement" or "after I get that next promotion." They are also missing out on the here and now for something that may not even come since life is fleeting and nothing more is promised to any of us. Yes, we all need to plan for retirement and have goals for the future, but planning the rest of your life is pointless, particularly if you plan far out in time. The distant future has too many uncontrolled variables. Health changes, job changes and issues, family crises, and economic changes are just some variables that can dramatically alter your master plan. And besides, who wants their entire life all planned out? That's boring and you lose out on a lot of opportunities and moments that come your way but miss because you are fixated in the past or in the future.
In the business world, your clients don't often care what you did for them last October or your plans for them in five years. They want to know what you are doing for them now. Spend more time in the present in all aspects of your life and I think you will be happier and better for it. http://www.employmentlawman.com/monday-morning-musings.html
There are those who spend too much time in the future, on their grand plan 20 years from now or the great things they plan to do "after retirement" or "after I get that next promotion." They are also missing out on the here and now for something that may not even come since life is fleeting and nothing more is promised to any of us. Yes, we all need to plan for retirement and have goals for the future, but planning the rest of your life is pointless, particularly if you plan far out in time. The distant future has too many uncontrolled variables. Health changes, job changes and issues, family crises, and economic changes are just some variables that can dramatically alter your master plan. And besides, who wants their entire life all planned out? That's boring and you lose out on a lot of opportunities and moments that come your way but miss because you are fixated in the past or in the future.
In the business world, your clients don't often care what you did for them last October or your plans for them in five years. They want to know what you are doing for them now. Spend more time in the present in all aspects of your life and I think you will be happier and better for it. http://www.employmentlawman.com/monday-morning-musings.html