Last updated on March 18, 2015
by Brittney Mace// Assistant Editor
I often find myself thinking about two main things; my past and my future.
Being a college student and working towards my planned life goals, I tend to spend the majority of my time thinking about what I will do when those goals are met and I do not fully appreciate the journey I am taking in order to get there.
I often dwell on what I will be doing a year, five years, even ten years from that moment. As a result, I don’t fully enjoy the time in my life that I currently reside in.
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,” said John Lennon. This is something I have been attempting to change in my life.
Yes, it is important to have goals and yes, it is important to plan the steps in order to achieve them, but one should not deem any part of their life unnecessary or less important than another.
If you find yourself in the same issue, take a deep breath and relax.
Quiet your mind of life planning and fully embrace the uncertainty that life brings.
“Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation of the future is to live as if there were none,” said Albert Einstein.
Both you and your plans will change, but there will only ever be one present.
The same way of thinking goes for ones’ past.
Do not become stuck on the “what ifs” of your existence.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.
You may feel like you are not on the right path, that you made too many mistakes, or that you want to go back to the past where you believe you once thrived.
I too, often have these thoughts.
Recently new to adulthood, I still catch myself wishing I was back in my childhood, a victimless child with no worries or adult responsibilities.
I remind myself to not waste any more precious time thinking about regrets or how things could have been different.
I choose instead, as should you, to focus on the person in the present.
Are you a better person as a result of your past?
Are you living your life, each day, to its full potential?
Are you taking one step at a time, to achieve this?
Do not use your incredible mind to overthink where you came from or where on this earth you will end up.
Personally, I would rather live a life of chaos that gave me unexpected pleasures, than strictly scheduled plans that I am uncertain I even want.
I constantly have to remind myself that I have the honor of living in a great country, I have the option of a great education, I have a vast amount of resources to make my life the best that it can possibly be and that I should celebrate every single day just the way it is.
I have never been much of a swimmer, but I have found bliss in the choice to go along with the waves of life instead of fighting against the current.
So whether you believe that detailed planning, fate, karma or some other higher power is the key to a happy life, I advise you to take chances.
I encourage you to try things from a new perspective and don’t hold yourself back from experiences that seem uncertain.
If all else fails; when the worry starts to set in, just remember that you are okay.
You have time.
And you are right where you are meant to be.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly,” said Buddha.
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