What if This is "As Good as it Gets?"

Most people spend a lot of time, energy and thought being absorbed in the future.

Typically, that future we contemplate is largely fictitious in the sense that we're dreaming about "better times," because we feel like right now is unbearably painful and difficult.

So we look to the future and consider how we're going to be happier when we get that new job, or we're going to have better and less stressful times when we retire, or how things will be good when the Cryptosphere turns around and the price of Hive is $6.00 instead of 6 cents.

In a sense, dreaming about a better future is a way to distract ourselves and escape from the difficulties of our present.

Of course, there's lots of good advice out there to the effect of "be here now" and suggesting that we be present and enjoy life as it is now rather than keep our head constantly mired down in future imaginings we don't know whether will actually come to pass.

The stray thought that often wanders through my head is that of contemplating the eventuality that maybe the present moment is as good as it's ever going to be. Meaning... that this "future" people are looking forward to will not only never come to pass and that our primary reason for enjoying the present should be that — by comparison — the present is actually really really excellent!

That might sound to some like a depressing approach to life, but personally I'd rather not miss something that is good right now because I am excessively invested in something else being better, down the road.

I suppose it's a bit of a "glass half full vs. glass half empty" equation.

Don't get me wrong: I do understand the value of believing that the future is going to be "brighter" as a sort of psychological "carrot" to motivate us to keep trying, and trying and trying.

While meditating today, I visualized how it would feel if this present moment in history were to actually represent the pinnacle of "how good" this experience of life was going to be.

Not great, I suppose... but could I make the most of it, and just be grateful for whatever is, right now?

I know a lot of people talk about their lives as if their current situation "really sucks," but what if we set that aside for a moment and visualize the possibility that life will actually NOT "get better" and what we currently have is something to be grateful for?

Would people think that life sucks to the point of "not being worthwhile," or would we simply adjust our expectations and move along?

Humans are remarkably adaptable...

Just some random thoughts on a Sunday night. I appreciate you stopping by, and have a great week!

Comments, feedback and other engagement is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation! I do my best to answer comments, even if it sometimes takes a few days!

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Created at 2026.03.23 01:22 PST
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