The Past, the Present or the Future?

The superior man does not waste himself on what is distant, on what is absent. He stands in the here and now, in the real situation. - Confucius

Often we tend to emphasize the destination so much that we miss the journey. Stay in the present and enjoy life today. Blaise Pascal wrote: Let each of us examine his thoughts; he will find them wholly concerned with the past or the future. We almost never think of the present, and if we do think of it, it is only to see what light it throws on our plans for the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means, the future alone our end. Thus we never actually live, but hope to live, and since we are always planning how to be happy, it is inevitable that we should never be so.

Bevelin, Peter. Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger (pp. 388-389). PCA Publications L.L.C.& Riddler.

Some people dwell on the past - history is supposed to provide the answers to all our problems and will definitely repeat itself for the same reasons.

If so, are we never truly living in the different context and circumstances of our times?

Some people try to forecase the future - planning and preparation are vital to a perfect and successful completion of a task.

Again, if so, we are never truly considering the immediate considerations, and making the decisions that are required in the immediate time at hand.

The Confucian quote above encourages you to stand in the here and now, in the real situation.

In summary, perhaps focus on what is in front of you.

Good luck!

Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger

Confucian quotes are sprinkled liberally in the book above. The book may be available at a bookstore near you.

Any comments, questions and likes, please leave them below.