Embracing the Beauty of the Present
Imagination is a fascinating aspect of our minds that allows us to create mental images and ideas that are not immediately present. Have you ever noticed that often we tend to think the past was better, even though back then we may have thought it was the worst time? It's a peculiar phenomenon. We often daydream about going on vacations and think life would be so good in those moments. We tend to believe that external things, like buying a house or achieving a certain goal, will bring us happiness.
Photo by Natalie Chaney on Unsplash
When looking back at the past, people often focus on specific moments or aspects that they remember as being enjoyable or meaningful. For example, living in a small apartment might evoke memories of a carefree and simpler time, whereas a large house can be associated with increased responsibilities and expenses. This simplified view can lead to a preference for the past. We may feel overwhelmed by the complexities and challenges of the present. They may long for a time when life seemed less complicated, even if that perception doesn't fully reflect reality. Means it was not all rainbow and sunshine even during that time, It had its own challenges and we always wanted to do better and get out of that time present situation. Also, one more point on that one is Nostalgia, It is a powerful emotion that can make people remember past experiences more fondly than they actually were.
Here's a thought experiment for you: write down something that you think will make you happy on a piece of paper, like buying a dream home or going on a vacation. Keep that note aside and revisit it after a year or a few years. By that time, you may have accomplished your goal, but chances are you would have already set your sights on something else.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting we are never happy, like all those clickbait feel good quotes which try to challenge you to be happy. It’s just common human nature. That keeps us going, for companies - as Amazon says ‘Day 1’ or other companies after years of existence claims that “We are just getting started”, or political party - ‘bring back old golden days’. The reason why they say that, because it works. We all would like to have better future than our current state, but in order to do that we don’t need to whine about our current state.
As long as we believe in this illusion, we are susceptible to the promises of aspiring autocrats who claim they can return us to a golden age that exists in the only place a golden age has ever existed: our imaginations. Here is one recent interesting article on Psychology of Biased Brain and Memory which triggered the thought and writing this post. Seventy-six percent of Americans believe, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center poll, that "addressing the moral breakdown of the country" should be one of the government's priorities.
The good news is that the breakdown hasn't happened.
The bad news is that people believe it has.
It's interesting how two people can stand in the same place and see different worlds. Sometimes, familiarity blinds us to the beauty around us, but if we look at things with fresh eyes, even the mundane can become magical. That's why someone who lives in a bustling city like New York may grow tired of it, while someone visiting for the first time finds it mesmerizing. The same goes for beaches, hill stations, or suburbs. People who travel often tend to be happier because they get to see different perspectives. However, if you've been in the same place for a long time, it's natural to lose interest. There's nothing wrong with that. We just need to be self-aware and understand that sometimes we devalue things simply because they are readily available without much effort or sacrifice. It's similar to how we appreciate summer and winter more because they bring a change in seasons.
So, in the end, let's come back to the mind and imagination, where all these perceptions and perspectives originate from.
Amongst our dreams for a better future and the excitement of what's to come, it's important to take a moment and appreciate what we have right now. Sometimes, we get so caught up in wanting more that we forget to value the blessings and opportunities that surround us at this very moment. It's essential to be grateful for the small things in life—the warmth of the sun on our skin, the laughter shared with loved ones, and the simple joys of everyday life. When we have a mindset of appreciation, we can find happiness in the ordinary and recognize the beauty that already exists in our lives. Instead of always longing for a perfect future, let's cherish the present with open hearts and open minds. By practicing gratitude and being present, we can discover a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment in the here and now.
In the end, I leave you with this mind refreshing perspective shared by David Holz -
https://twitter.com/DavidSHolz/status/1671585195135479808?s=20