What is it about leaving something that stimulates someone to miss it, appreciating something the second one loses it, neglecting something yet desiring it the second it vanishes? For many, life gets put into perspective during moments of change, eliciting an awakening to the abundance of things that were taken for granted. People begin to yearn for what once was overlooked as if the very act of something disappearing enhances its appeal. Why do humans have this destructive blind spot— one incapable of seeing the value of the present until it is far out of reach?
In an insatiable society moving at lightning speed, determined by a relentless forward motion, the focus is always placed on what is next, what is better or what the future holds. Individuals chase after upcoming opportunities, relationships and achievements, all while the essence of the present sneakily fades away. The irony is brutal. By ignorantly dismissing the now, people waste irreplaceable time. Only in hindsight do they realize the preciousness of what was right in front of them all along. As the influential talk show host Oprah Winfrey once said, “Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.”
People tend to overlook the significance of their actions, which diminish the impact that they have on others, the work they put into their occupation and the energy they invest into personal passions. People are susceptible to getting caught up in the spur of the moment and end up underestimating the rippling effects of their choices. Every gesture made, every word spoken and every endeavor pursued shapes a person’s present and future. The way someone treats others, whether that be with kindness or cruelty, leaves a lasting impression and creates memories that remain forever. The effort they put into their career, hobbies or personal interests acts as a reflection of personal ambition and growth while simultaneously molding their identity. What seems inconsequential today, whether that be a pursuit, a conversation or a project, has the potential to generate the world one leaves behind.
The times someone screamed at their younger sibling to leave their room, when all that kid wanted was to hang out with them; the times one dismissed their parent’s advice— parents who sought their child’s best interest—or rolled their eyes at a teacher who encouraged them to strive for excellence, seem so unimportant in retrospect. Yet when remembering those occasions, one cannot help but wish to replace frustration with laughter, apathy with gratitude and indifference with attentiveness. These instances carry a weight that goes unnoticed at the moment.
In the heat of the moment, one fails to recognize the silent damage these actions cause. The annoyance of a sibling’s presence or the irritation of parental concerns fade with time and maturing, leaving behind an unexpected void in desperate need of being filled. Eventually, one will find themselves missing the little brother who would pester them endlessly, longing for the days when parents’ nagging was a sign of care and even appreciating the teacher who insisted they revise their work for a third time. These brief moments become the memories that are cherished the most — not the mistakes made, but the opportunities to embrace growth, love and guidance when they were right there, asking to be seen.
One cannot change the past nor can they dictate the future, but one can live a present life with good intentions. By doing so, they craft a life that demonstrates wisdom gained while paving the road for a future rich in fulfillment and possibility. Time passes by in the blink of an eye. Before someone knows it, the days of being spoon-fed as a child evolve into nights eating ramen in a college dorm; innocence and responsibility quietly exchange places.
A person should not wish to be anywhere else or anyone else, but rather count the many blessings that currently enrich their life. As the motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future: it is something you design for the present.”
Find contentment in the now. Savor the now. Live in the now.
