“Imagine that you are standing on a theatre stage. If the house lights are on, you’ll probably be able to see all the way to the back of the hall. But if you’re under a bright spotlight, you won’t be able to make out even the front row. That’s exactly how it is with our lives. It’s because we cast a dim light on our entire lives that we are able to see the past and the future. Or, at least we imagine we can. But if one is shining a bright spotlight on here and now, one cannot see the past or the future anymore.” | The Philosopher in The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitame Koga
This was a beautiful way of reinforcing the importance of focusing on the present and on what we control rather than fretting about the future and over-analyzing the past.
It is a big part of the simplicity that Adler’s approach to life advocates.
It reminded me of a quote from a Zen master – “The essence of zen is the ability to do one thing at a time.”
Bright spotlight.
Focus on doing the best you can right now with what you have.
