One Apple A Day #253
‘If you’re depressed, you’re living in the past. If you’re anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re at peace, you’re living in the present" — Lao TzuWhen I saw this quote, my first reaction has been to dismiss it as another cheesy reminder of living in the present. I understand that life is happening now, but I can’t delete my memories, and I can’t stop planning the future. I find the idea of YOLO — You Only Live Once — or Carpe Diem, or in general this big push on focusing only on the present, a bit uncomfortable. To me, it sounds like saying “because you don’t like your past and you are scared about your future, keep your attention only on the present”. Doesn’t sound so healthy written like this, is it?So, I was already moving to something else when something in that quote from Lao Tzu, captured my attention. It took me a few minutes to realise that it was the use of the word “living”. It’s not about remembering the past; it is living in the past that creates depression. There is a substantial difference between remembering and living, or dreaming and living. If you are living in the past, you are acting as if the past is still real. In doing so, you go out of synch with the present. The same for living in the future. It is vital to remember the past and to dream about the future. But be sure you’re not living in either of them.