Be Here Now

Everyone lives in the past. Some more than others, but everyone does it. Everyone automatically relates present experiences to past ones, and new memories always trigger old ones. Once those memories are set free, for the rest of the time you're stuck basking in the hapiness of the old memory, or focusing on the hurt. And that stinks, because then it feels like you can't get over the past and then there's more frustration and, before you know it, the moment for making new memories is wasted. I think people are so preoccupied with the past because it's safe. There's no risk in the past, it already happened. It can't affect you any more, and you can talk and complain about it all you want. It's comfortable, almost satisfying, to focus on a past experience's emotion, such as anger, love, or sadness. Maybe it's your mind protecting you from creating more hurtful memories. Maybe we're just scared of what the present will bring. "Living in the moment" often has a slightly hedonistic association with it, but you can live in the moment while still being mindful of what you do. It's hard staying in the present, but I think more people should try it.