"...and in response to a young lady I know, who was recently writing that the only way to live is to live for the moment: I cannot possibly agree. To live for the moment is to neglect 2/3 of your life. And how long is a moment, anyway? I'm all for siezing the day, and appreciating the moment, but the moment is not one's whole existance. So, Ebenezer, live your life in the past, the present and the future.
The past is not your enemy. It is how you became the You you are now - and don't pretend you've achieved perfection and have no room to continue to improve. You need to use your memory to continue in personal growth. (Don't laugh! Personal Growth is a perfectly good phrase.) The things you've done wrong, the things you've done right - these are tools, stepping stones....whatever - they're important. And also, the things you've seen in the world. Did you agree? Disagree? Use that stuff. Reflect. If the only important moment is now, then you are losing the benefit of having a capable mind.
The present is important, too, though. It's where the action is. It's the verb of your sentence. You can't change the past, and you aren't at the future yet. Being aware of the power of the present is not bad, but don't be duped by popular culture into believing that the only kind of regret you will ever have is not enjoying yourself thoroughly as a child. Ask anyone who has dropped out of college and still has to pay the loans. So, live in the present, but live as you should, not just as you wish. Dessert is for when you've finished your dinner.
It may seem great to ignore the oncoming future and to live each day as if it is your last. That's a very tempting, romantic, exciting thought. But not very likely, is it? The future will come, like it or not. Might as well like it. Many great things are in the future. that's when you will behave perfectly as everyone is watching and admiring you, when you will get the perfect job and exceed the expectations of all with your dazzling talents, it's when the house you've always dreamed of comes up for sale below market cost the same day you deposit huge ammounts into your account. The future is where all your daydreams live. It can be wonderful if you make it that way, but it's not going to be any fun at all if you are not prepared for it to exist. If I had lived in the moment at your age, I would prpbably own a lot more CDs, but I would have no pictures of France of Tokyo. It's up to you to make your future the one you want. It won't be given to you. And if it is, it won't be worth enjoying, and I mean that.
This way of thinking is immiturity of mind, and not immaturity of age, as you have implied. Acting like youth is your chance to live without respinsibility or care or regret is a lie. Being young does not give you the right to any of these things. Freedom always comes at the cost of new responsibilities. It's a trade off. As a baby you had no responsibilities, but no freedoms, either. You couldn't even sit down where you chose to. Now you are approaching adulthood. You have plenty of freedoms, but you are not living up to the cost of them if you are always off persuing pleasure and "the moment".
People these days act like they are entitled to get the beautiful girl, be swept away by Prince Charming, have Life A La Perfection just fall into their laps just by virtue of being born. You have to make yourself into the person who deserves these things, who deserves a Happily Ever After. Then, go out and get one. The only way you can achieve that is with eyes and a brain that both see with equal clarity the information you have gained, the potential you have now, and the possibilities ahead. That would be the past, present, and future, Kiddo."
Wasn't I a genius? Well, I was nothing if not sure of my own mind!! I should also tell you that the young person of my acquaintence to whom this very High And Mighty speech was directed is now an adult (pretty much), and turned out reasonably well. I must admit, however, that she does seem to be unreasonably upset if things that have had no effort put into them don't turn out in her favor, anyway. And this person has no tolerance whatsoever for boredom..... Maybe I had a point or two?
Ignoring all of that -
I am very thankful to have electricity right now. There have been black outs and brown outs this weekend. We had several power outages, but nothing prolonged. We have made an effort not to run too many electrical things at once, and have set the AC much warmer. Cross your fingers for us, and also send your coolest thoughts to those who are still stranded without power. :( Thinking of you, Master Awesome, camper extrordinaire!
It's hot out there! And I have a sunburn. The new floppy hat seems to work okay, but my back burned through two kinds of sunscreen this weekend. (In the shade again.) It seems I have a rare talent. *sigh*
I hear thunder right now. I wonder if any of the rain will be at my house. Well, here's hoping!
Hugs to those who are ill, sad, or excessively hot!
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