We Often Let Present Slip Away Analysis

Chuck Klosterman, in the article “Nostalgia on Repeat,” there is two sides of nostalgia, how it can be good and bad for you. Klosterman, gives examples from both sides. Memories are the past, it is ok to remember them and think about them, maybe even smile from them, just don’t live there. Looking at the past can hinder growth, if a person cannot move on from it and wants to keep reliving that part of their life. The Authors purpose is to shine light on both sides of nostalgia, it is not all bad to remember the past and even flash back to it. However, trying to relive the past is not all good either. It stunts growth and keeps a person from living their life in the now. Chuck Klosterman, writes in a casual tone for those readers that are too

Buddha, a man who devoted himself to years of contemplation and self-denial, once said “do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment”. Thinking too much about times gone by typically keeps your mind stuck in neutral. Existing in an earlier life could result in revisiting feelings of anger, guilt, resentment, sorrow, or shame. Obsessing about the people and events precipitating such negative feelings can lead to endless rethinking. Becoming increasingly lifeless, or infatuated, thinking really cannot progress toward any resolution. Ultimately, it is pointless to employ memory to hold onto what may have been lost many years ago. As a result of not letting go of the past, it is possible to be robbed of present opportunities. Often, in many novels the characters are still dwelling on their past in the present. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author demonstrates how George Wilson and Jay Gatsby are held hostage by their pasts with little hope for their futures.

Often times we find ourselves thinking about the past only to try to force the memories away and return to our current delusion. We can never erase the past, but if the past is who we are, then should we just welcome pain back into our lives? Embarrassment, guilt, and pride betray us as we choose to bury our darkest memories in our head and look to a positive future without ever having to readdress them and acknowledge that they had ever happened in the first place. Thinking back now my weakest moment caught me by complete surprise.

I partially agree with Pangloss’s statement because we never know what the future holds for us and we can never predict our fate therefor what happens to you today (now) or what you have is the best you can get or have in your live. For example, considering

Do events of the past affect an individual’s life? How important are memories of the past for people of the future? Does the past, even relate to the future at all? To figure out the answers to these questions, one has to understand the impact that past events can do to one’s future. Events in the past are essential to an individual 's development and can change their perspective of life. As a matter of fact, you can see these questions being answered in Classical Literature, Modern Literature, Current Events and even Visual Rhetoric.

The past, the present and the future all have one similarity: time. The past can either be one’s burden or blessing. The present takes into account how one’s past affects the choices they make that will inevitably affect the future. The future is the product of the past and the present along with the sense and image of the future. These three timely qualities are present in the quote, “We are all serving a life-sentence in the dungeon of self”, by Cyril Connolly. The “life-sentence” is caused by the past, the “serving” is the present, and the “self” is the future of who someone is. Along with the quote, the past, present, and future are thoroughly established The Crucible by Arthur Miller as well through a sin, a choice, and a name. I agree

One of the main things the story “Power Lines” asks us to think about is whether or not we can live in the moment, or if that’s impossible. If it’s impossible, then aren’t the past and future both an integral part of our lives, and we must think about those things also? Almost one full page out of four is dedicated to this idea, where the main character thinks about whether insects ever contemplate what lies ahead in their future, if they can reflect on their lives or not. He decides they don’t, but perhaps the reader can infer that even though the insects don’t, people should.

As acclaimed author Yvonne Woon wrote, “Sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead.” Reflecting, or the act of thinking deeply about a moment from the past, the present, or the possibility of such an event in the future, is an important aspect of human nature, as it serves as a method of learning and as an example of evolution. By reflecting on the modern and historical world, we are able to obtain a deeper understanding of why and how certain things happen, and then decide whether or not we are satisfied with the environment in which we live. Contemplating all the decisions that have been made and all the different circumstances our ancestors have lived through, can serve as guidance for the future.

The pencil led flew all over the room as the student wrote her paper. She needed it done before the night was over, but it was already 11:30 at night and she only had three sentences done when she needed a three-page paper. This students name was Absent Minded, she had written many papers life this before, but every time she did, she only put in three sentences that expressed her opinion. Absent Minded filled the rest of the three pages with facts, paraphrases, and quotes never once thinking that her reader might want to know a little more about her opinion on the subject. This is what happens to many students who attend school, they fail to think and consider if what they are writing really makes sense. However, there is a way to retrieve

Past, present and future are all important to keep in perspective. Looking back and not having regrets is extremely satisfying. Your current situation and your contentment with it are also very important, and having goals and milestones to work toward in the future keeps you motivated and keeps life interesting and challenging.

Too often we get bogged down in our past, and in memories of events that we think define us and restrict us from moving forward. The truth is that we can decide today who we want to be. We may have some baggage, and we may have future dreams, but today is the only day where we can define who we are and what direction we want our lives to go.

This quote reminds me of the process of what goes through my mind everyday. When you start to think about past experiences you can learn and see things in a new light after thinking about it for a little while. Your brain keeps on thinking of other memories that were similar. This can bring a source of comfort. Thinking about some of past good memories you made.

This how I learned from the three text how to fix my future.Also I wanted to show you how it helps and it is good to look at the past.Then when you even need to be happy look at the things you have done in your lifetime and share it with somebody.Finally when it comes to the way you have the past and future don’t always dwell in your past.That is how this essay shows how the past helps the future.

As Emerson perceived the world, “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 tiptoes to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time” (“Self-Reliance” 833-834). Even if a man finds himself with both self-trust and originality, he may never realize his true potential if he is preoccupied with past events or future fortunes. Emerson finds these obsessions to be utterly useless: “Discontent is the want of self-reliance; it is the infirmity of will. Regret calamities, if you can thereby help the sufferer; if not, attend to your own work, and already the evil begins to be repaired” (838). In contemporary society, a willingness to “live in the moment” is highly regarded, especially among youth, yet this acceptance seems to wane with age. Nevertheless, excessive anxiousness and nostalgia are a waste of the potential that can be realized when the truths of the present are

If given the opportunity to reflect on remembering the past, living in the present, or looking to the future what would I choose? Is it more important to remember the actions of the past or to look towards the future to make life better? These are all important parts of life to think about, but the most important part in my life is to remember the past. Remembering the past in important to one's life because the things of the past guide us to the acts of the future.