Consider this topic as an exercise, of sorts. Sometimes we need grave reminders in order to alter our own perspective, so please forgive me in advance for my methods of doing so.
Why it is so difficult to enjoy and appreciate the now.
The good ‘ol days. We all have them, no matter what the occasion, we all reminisce about better times. Looking back is a form of nostalgia, one that each of us will carry with us to the end. It’s a mental escape; sometimes, even a way of coping with the now.
If this is something that is universally shared, then we do, so many people have a difficult time with appreciating the now. Why do many find it so very difficult to be happy with right now, even knowing that the now will eventually become the good ‘ol days. So why can’t we just take a moment to be mindful and realize that we are living the good old days Right-Freaking-Now?
I think about this a lot. Try to be mindful of the wonderful moments, or recall a time when I wished for whatever it was that I was experiencing, or realizing, in the current moment. To be able to step outside yourself, watch from an objective perspective, and you may come to realize the now isn’t so bad.
But why do our brains do this? Our lives are but a series of interconnected moments, and we are like spectators as we embark on our journeys. Much akin to why many promises themselves happiness once a goal is achieved, instead of living in the present, we have to be in tougher /, lonelier or sadder times when what we are in now.
Hindsight is 20/20.
We have difficulties in appreciating anything until it is gone. Humans have a bad habit of taking things for granted. We all make plans for tomorrow—something that is not promised— but in doing so, you may be forgetting about today*
I would be willing to bet that if you asked anyone who has lost someone close, would they have done things differently had they known, or would trade anything for one more day–The one day you would be willing to trade is that of which we all take for granted; today. That is exactly why every day is precious. If it helps you appreciate the power of today, think about loss. Because when we feel like this, we remember what it was like to not feel like this.
Appreciate things a little more, now? I know it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day world, and how easy it can be to forget that of which matters most. If you take a moment to look around; List the items that can be replaced, and those that cannot. People. Loved ones. Anything in this world can be replaced, except for those we hold dear.
Don’t lose sight of what matters. Enjoy the now, for that is all that we have. Remove all that of which truly does not matter, and by doing so, you may discover happiness.
