It seems there is a psychology that goes along with either “Past” or “Future.”

The “Past” folks want things the way they were; the “Future” folks want things the way they should be.

There is also a sensation that goes along with each viewpoint, especially when it runs into an opposing view. For the future seekers it’s frustration; for those longing for the past it’s a sense of sadness and madness.

The “Future-ites” are frustrated when they can’t convince others to create a plan that is crystal clear to them. The “Past-ies” are mad that their world is changing and severely dig in their heels.

When you get a “Past” and “Future” together, you can expect an ideological scrimmage. It plays out every day – Old vs. Young, Conservative vs. Liberal, Texter vs. Emailer – the list is ever growing.

The results of the daily clash between the two leads to an argument as to who is right rather than a common strategy to right any wrongs.

The focus is on the fight and who’s right rather than results. It would be like two football teams hurling insults at each other from their respective sidelines for 60 minutes rather than playing the game.

Here is something we rarely reflect on: There is no past or future in now.

“What can I do now?” is a question to ask that brings us back from the frustration or sadness of future or past.

Now gets you focused.

Imagine you’re driving through a major snowstorm. Then imagine one of these two monologues in your head:

“It didn’t used to snow this much, the road crews were out much quicker, and, damn it, people drove more carefully in the snow back then.”

“They should really come up with a way to put warming rods under the asphalt to melt this before it becomes problematic. Why don’t they invent solar powered, snow blowing panels along the side of the highway? How come no one is doing these things?”

You just know these two people are going to crash into each other. Why? Because neither one of them is paying attention to the snow now.

Focusing on now and the situation at hand suspends diversionary trips to the past or future, and doesn’t add the baggage of sadness or frustration.

There will be plenty of time to yearn for the good old days or lament that the future isn’t getting here quick enough, but that time is not now.

Now is the time to focus on what is right in front of you. It’s the quickest route out of the past and into the future.

What can I do now?

All the best,

John

LOSE WEIGHT & KEEP IT OFF
STOP SMOKING FOREVER
SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT EVERY NIGHT
IMPROVE YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE
I LOVE MY BODY
RELAX IN 2 MINUTES
FEEL FOREVER YOUNG
VIRTUAL MASSAGE