All of our lives have three discreetly different dimensions. We all have a past life, a current life, and a future life that can all be accessed in our minds any day we wish.
Some people tend to forsake the present and spend a good part of every day reflecting and remembering the good old days. Often seniors spend a lot of time reliving some of the highlights of their younger years. It can be fun as they recall happy occasions like family get-togethers, birthdays, parties, and special events. At other times, the recollection of friends or family who have passed away can be sad and wearing memories.
Others spend a lot of time living in the future. In particular, we often hear people dreaming of retirement and all of the things they will do when they are finished working. The reality is that people will not likely become involved in a lot of activities or behave much differently than they did before they retired. Dreams and wishful thinking are often followed by disappointments when real-life again takes command.
If there is a secret, it is to live in the present, plan for the near future and enjoy the past. Of course, this is only common sense and in fact, there is no other way to live. A lot of people, however, I think, allocate these three time frames disproportionate amounts of time. Our happiness will be maximized by living the majority of our time in the present. Allocate a small proportion to planning for the near future, and a smaller portion to the past. Again, this may appear to be very obvious, but I am sure there are numerous people who have a difficult time from disconnecting from the past. (Consider the number of obituary photos from their youth, not their present). If you spend too much time looking forward, you obviously are giving away numerous happy options in the present.
A healthy balance is the best way to live each day.
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