You can't live in the past or the future?

Have you ever found yourself so deep in thought that you completely missed the present moment? I certainly have!

One day, I was walking through the park, thinking about an important work deadline. My mind was entirely occupied with the future—so much so that I didn’t notice that I had stepped straight into a puddle. Not a small puddle, mind you—this one was Olympic-pool-sized (okay, maybe not, but it felt like it!). As I stood there, water squishing in my shoes, I couldn’t help but laugh. Here I was, so caught up in what might happen tomorrow that I literally lost track of where I was today.

Isn’t that just like life? We’re constantly either fretting about the future or mulling over the past, rarely taking the time to fully experience what’s happening now. But what’s so wrong with the present moment? It’s where we actually live, after all! Yet, most of us treat it like an afterthought.

Let’s dig a little deeper. Why are we so obsessed with the future? Sure, goals are important, but constantly fixating on what’s next can erode our sense of peace. Similarly, dwelling on past mistakes often keeps us stuck in a mental loop, affecting our current happiness. Meanwhile, the present moment—right here, right now—slips by unnoticed.

Take driving, for instance. How often do you find yourself on autopilot, your body behind the wheel but your mind lost in thoughts of what you’ll have for dinner or how you totally could’ve won that argument three years ago if only you’d said the right thing? By the time you reach your destination, you barely remember the journey. It’s like the road trip of life just zoomed past without you even noticing the scenery.

So, what’s the solution? Mindfulness. Staying present in the moment helps us break the habit of sleepwalking through life. When we stop reacting impulsively to everything and instead pause to reflect, we gain control over how we respond to life’s situations. This shift from “reaction” to “response” is key to finding balance and inner peace.

But let’s be honest—none of us are perfect at this. There will always be moments when we get caught up in the future or bogged down by the past. The goal isn’t to completely eliminate these tendencies but to recognize them and make conscious choices. Like when someone cuts you off in traffic—are you going to speed up and return the favor (reaction)? Or can you take a deep breath and think, “Maybe they’re just in a hurry for something important” (response)?

As you reflect on your day, ask yourself: Did you respond to situations thoughtfully, or did you react impulsively? How could you have handled things differently? These questions help us grow, cultivating maturity and emotional resilience over time.

So, next time you find yourself knee-deep in a metaphorical (or literal!) puddle, ask yourself: How often do you miss the present moment because you’re too busy thinking about the future or the past? Let me know your funniest "lost in thought" moment in the comments below!