by Joi Elece Richard

Created on: February 06, 2009

One life to live they say. Yes, one life to live. You cannot live more then one life, I don't believe in being reincarnated, so you will not remember some past life.

You live your life now. Life the past, present and future all happens at once.

How so?

Well, did you ever stop to think about the moment that you live in? When you stop to think about the present, it's already the past, and to think ahead to the next moment, it's already your presentConfused? Good

I have realized that the past and future are real illusions that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is. - Alan Watts

When people dwell on their past, they miss out on the things of life. They are always looking at what "could" have been "if," or, what "would" have been "if." All this wondering, takes away from your daily life. You stop experiencing things in the now, because you are replaying what has already happened.

So many people want to change their past and map their futures, that they forget that there is still the present. What is important about the present you ask? Well, it's the part of your life that is the most important. The present is where you can reflect on the choices you made in the past and decide if you want to continue making the same choices in the future. It's where you actually experience life. Not as a memory, or a hopeful wish, but what you are actually experiencingthe here and now.

We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time. - Art Buchwald

But man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time. Ralph Waldo Emerson

We often want to dream about our future, plan out our lives, but sometimes we just need to "stop and smell the roses." We need to realize that what we have, in the present, is a blessing. The gifts that you have "right now" are more important then the gifts that you received in the past, and may receive in the future.

Live life in the present, this second, this moment this hour

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