Nothing can hinder a person's success more than focusing on the past. When the past is a central focus in a person's life, the person will continue to live there and leave no room for themselves to grow as an individual; free from their past mistakes and turmoils. Living in the past can create missed opportunities, memories, and experiences that could be made today. Living in the past can, ultimately, ruin the now.

Do you know someone like that? Someone that always reminisces on past successes, but never seems to make anymore? Someone who is constantly hung up on past failures, and is unable to emotionally move past those mistakes? Someone who always asks "What if"? If you know someone like that, or if you are even the person living in the past, I'm here to bring good news. Today is awesome. Today will bring good times, great friends, and amazing memories if you allow it to. Today is the day to start living for the now!

When people live for the now, the are open to the idea of new possibilities. They allow for opportunity to knock at their doors and present them with new and exciting experiences. They welcome new ideas and experiences with open arms, and they never stop to ask "What if?". Instead, they ask "What next?". They focus on today, and maybe even tomorrow, and constantly challenge themselves to become a better them.

People living for the now are constantly out of their comfort zone. They try things that maybe they had never thought they would do. They aren't worried about regretting decisions in the future because they are sure of themselves and the decisions they are making now. Random road trip with friends? Sure, why not! People living for the now won't worry about the last time they took a road when the car broke down and their wallet was stolen. Instead, people living for the now start new adventures with a fresh and positive mind and get excited about the new memories every experience will bring them.

I'm not saying that people should entirely forget about the past because obviously the past lead us to where we are now. However, the past does not define us. Maybe you made some mistakes when you were younger that you wish you could take back? Unfortunately, you can't take those mistakes back, but you can fix today. You can make today better by moving on from those mistakes. Moving on is possible, and is extremely necessary to stop living in the past, and to start living in the now.

Everyone should experience living in the now. Take it from a person who used to live for the past, living in the now creates a happier and more enjoyable present. Living in the now sets up success for the future by giving you a more positive and open outlook on life. So smile harder, laugh more often, take that random road trip, and start living your life every amazing and blessed day at a time.