"If a man knows not which port he sails, no wind is favorable." -Seneca
This quote shows how you will never reach your destination in life if you never pick one.
We know that what we focus on in the present is extremely important as it can shape how we experience life. However, a lot of us disregard the future (and the past) for fear of not living in the present. Acknowledging the past, learning from it, and using it as a source of confidence is what the past is meant for. Hope and your goals and dreams need to have a place to live as they direct your path in life. This is what the future is meant for. The past and future should still exist in your mind, even though the present should be your main focus in life. Your mindset, standards, and controllables exist in the present.
The problem is when people dwell on the past or future. If you dwell on and live in the past, feelings of regret, shame, frustration, and anger can arise. If you dwell on and live in the future, feelings of fear and anxiety start to cloud your mind.
The idea of staying present, but still using your past and future in your life, is like a map. You need to have a destination (future). You can see how far you have come and where you could have stayed on course better (past). Lastly, you can see where you are now and what turns you should make (present). If you only know where you are currently in life and forget about everything else, you are as good as a sailboat (with or without wind) in the middle of the ocean without any form of direction. The sailboat could be fully functional (you can be developing a healthy mindset, etc.), but when you don't know where to go, you will be essentially lost at sea.
If you are lost, don't be afraid. People find their way by being lost. It's normal. The idea is recognize that you are lost and through different learning methods (trial and error, studying, learning from others, etc.), you will begin to choose the right destination for you.
Everyone's path is different. We are all unique. (Note: this doesn't mean we can't learn from others). Explore destinations (goals and dreams) for you that will make you the best person you can be. Remember the journey is just as important as the destination, if not more so. Be wise with what journeys you take because they are making you who you will be tomorrow.
Choose your destination. Stay on your path. Become your best self!
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