Jan

“Adults, waiting for tomorrow, move in a present behind which is yesterday or the day before yesterday or at most last week: they don't want to think about the rest. Children don't know the meaning of yesterday, or even of tomorrow, everything is this, now: the street is this, the doorway is this, the stairs are this, this is Mamma, this is Papa, this is the day, this the night.”
― Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend

“I feel no nostalgia for our childhood: it was full of violence. Every sort of thing happened, at home and outside, every day, but I don't recall having ever thought that the life we had there was particularly bad. Life was like that, that's all, we grew up with the duty to make it difficult for others before they made it difficult for us.”
― Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend

“When I see memories, I see the past.
When I see thoughts, I see the present.
When I see intentions, I see the future.

When I see regret, I see the past.
When I see hope, I see the present.
When I see expectation, I see the future.

When I see habits, I see the past.
When I see actions, I see the present.
When I see character, I see the future.

When I see karma, I see the past.
When I see chance, I see the present.
When I see destiny, I see the future.

When I see knowledge, I see the past.
When I see understanding, I see the present.
When I see wisdom, I see the future.

When I see elders, I see the past.
When I see adults, I see the present.
When I see children, I see the future.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“The ego could be defined simply in this way: a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment.”
― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose