Although I agree with the T Seguin quote (is that called meta-quoting?) that stewing on the past is bad news, I find the statement and posting in general quite disheartening.
First. To be content means to limit oneself in requirements, desires, or actions. I get queasy just thinking about that. Never be content. If you've self-created your own limitations through the use of self-fear and doubt, I hope you find the strength to smash down that wall. Be the person you want to be, not the person you are.
Next. Not to anticipate means turning yourself into a dog. Less than a dog. Even a dog can anticipate the treat, the stick throw, or the car ride. I take this one particularly close to heart because anticipation is very important to me. I learned it early on in my HapKiDo training and it has helped me all through life. Anticipation is knowing how to balance yourself with what comes at you. If you aren't balanced, you get knocked over.
Finally. "Living in the Now" should be treated with more respect than that I believe you are giving it in this posting. It simply cannot be your solo mantra. Incorporate it (if it's an idea you like) into yourself as part of a greater thought. I believe Now is something not to focus on, but to accept and allowed to happen. The only creature I can think of that lives *purely* in the now is zombie. Don't be a zombie, you have so much more potential.
I felt that this comment needed reponding to having come from a close friend, with whom I have had this discussion more than once. I would like to once and for all set the record straigt on the context and meaning behind this quote which is much less literal than what they are making them out to be. I will also start by thanking you for saying I have so much potential but don't imply I am not intending to use it.
The first point
Content does not imply limitations if you look in the dictionary the definition is
CONTENT
Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.
It uses the word desiring, lets disect that word.
The dictionary meaning is:
Desire: To wish or long for; want.
Wishing and wanting are clearly not good methods of obtaining.
I would agree that content is a negative thing if the meaning was to "Settle for what you have" And that is what you are professing againtst settling. Content merely states that you don't wish for what you don't have. Wishing is pointless and destructive.
So the first point could be rewordded to say:
Do not just sit and wish your moment that "is" away by wishing for a moment that is not.
The "is" at the end of the statement is putting this in the context required to extract this.
"IS" merely points to yout situation It can not be changed.
The second point
Anticipation of a coming event is normal and needed in life. But to look forward in a longing way and hope that your life situation will somehow be solved and or improved in an imagined future is insane. You can only solve problems in the now. And to wait for a future date to solve them or have them solved makes no sense. Looking forward to upcoming good events or dreading bad events is a real emotion but niether will improve the moment (once it becomes the now) and really only waste the now you are currently experienceing.
And finally the third
Lament, To regret deeply; deplore:
Maybe this is a personal thing but regretting ones actions is close to self abuse. In the case of mistakes, everyone makes them. In the case of embarassment, everyone gets embarassed. In the sense of loss, well Lamenting that loss never brings back whats gone.
In my opinion The only good use for memory and your past that occupies it is the extracttion, when a moment comes to your now, of practical knowledge. And the occasional reflection on happy memories (but only when your present is happy).
Now all this I have laid is simply a guide for overcoming a negative view on life. Maybe ones misunderstaing of it could mean thier view of thier is completely optimistic.
When one person pulls SOME of there power from a few simple statements to denounce them is unfair. The words are open to intepetation and maybe others interpet tham differently.
It makes sense to some of the worlds greatest thinkers so why not me.
All though this quote is written by tseguin. It is a methodolgy behind alomst all forms of self help / self enlightenment from Dr. Phil to Zen.
So I can't be completely off base. And in my opinion I am right on base, because I feel it.
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