KAIZEN FOR LIFE

The future, past and present can be tough concepts to think and speak about.

The number 1 rule in life is to be present in the now – it is truly all that we have – the current moment.

We should not dwell in the past – where no longer are, or search for the future – where we have not yet been. When phrases like this, it seems illogical to spend our time dwelling in the past or future – and yet we all fall victim to the worrying, regret, anxiety and frustration that thinking about the past or future brings.

However, it is important to note the contribution of our past – to the present moment. The people you met, the situations that arised, challenges you overcame, heartbreak that you felt, loss, joy, amazing experiences, beautiful moments. It is important to be aware of how our past has shaped us into the person we are today. However, the past is not who we are – the present is.

The past has shaped and helped us to evolve into who we are in the present. But we are the present. We are not the past nor the future.

Likewise, it is also important to plan and organise things for the future – like a to do list for the next day or a trip to see family or volunteering abroad. It is important to have things to look forward to and goals to strive towards.

However, yet again we must remember to come back to the present moment. Without the present moment – there will be no future. So all that truly matters is what you choose to do in this present moment as that will dictate how your future unfolds.

This may all sound slightly confusing – don’t worry it confuses me and blows my brain too sometimes.

In conclusion – I believe that we should acknowledge the effect of the past on our current self and being, but not become consumed by it and let it become our identity as the past is not who we are, it has simply led us to be who we are – now in the present. In addition, we should set goals and plan for a beautiful future, whilst remembering that our future cannot exist without the present. Therefore, ultimately the present moment is all that matters. The present moment is who you are right now. You may have been someone else in the past and may be someone different in the future. But the present is all that truly exists and therefore whoever you are in the present moment is who you are right now.