Comments on: The Fear of Missing Out

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:35:55 +0000

I just read this: “True wisdom lies in finding out all the advantages of a situation in which we are placed, instead of imagining the enjoyments of one in which we are not placed.” from The American Frugal Housewife, Lydia M. F. Child (written in 1832)

By: Georgia

Georgia — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:09:47 +0000

I have always been too lazy to regret the choices I make in life. It takes energy I don’t have and I would be the one suffering. As one man said, “If you had taken the other choice, what guarantee do you have that it would have been the best one?” Life gives us no guarantees.

But, it is much better to have a positive attitude and enjoy what you are doing NOW. But it is also good to make those choices planned ones when you know what you enjoy doing best.

Whenever I have something to do that I am not certain I like or even dislike, I try to find reasons to like it. The same with work, people around me, where I must live, etc. It has worked marvelously for me.

By: almost there

almost there — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:44:55 +0000

This reminds me of the Bill Hicks spot on enjoy the ride. It can be seen on youtube at: Bill Hicks: What is the point to Life

By: Kacie

Kacie — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:08:13 +0000

I feel this when I’m on vacation! It’s hard to slow down and enjoy where I am in the moment, instead of worrying about what else is on my “agenda” that we still need to get to. I’m especially bad with this at theme parks.

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:37:30 +0000

Trent, do you realize that your friend Mike’s habits of mind, which you so admire, are a direct antidote to the ‘disease’ of abundant choice that Barry Scwartz was complaining of in the video you posted only two posts back, which you also claimed to admire? Mike’s and Barry’s philosophies are diametrically at odds with each other, yet you seem to approve of both – sort of a philosophical Attention Deficit Disorder.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:01:40 +0000

I think the really tough part of dealing with FOMO is when you’re doing something necessary, but not particularly fun- the choice isn’t between playing with your kids or watching TV (both fun in different ways) but instead working a job to pay the bills or playing with the kids- or between reading a book or going to the club, but instead between scrubbing the toilet or reading an engaging challenging novel.

By: Kerry D.

Kerry D. — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:40:58 +0000

Awesome post! Love the linking of how time is spent, focus on the present moment, what we have, and how that links to our personal values. Thanks!

By: Anne Marie Ferguson

Anne Marie Ferguson — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:24:14 +0000

Great post. I also agree with the other posts…with maturity, that “grass is greener” mindset seems to recede…thankfully!

By: Dr. Timothy Lawler

Dr. Timothy Lawler — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:35:26 +0000

Well said and what a great freakin’ post. I have been on this kick as well lately since I have been deployed to Afghanistan. Out here, the luxuries of life just aren’t there. You start to take an enjoyment in the simple things, such as reading and conversation with friends. It has changed my perspective on life and what I will be doing when I return home in a few short weeks. Keep up the awesome posts!

By: Nicolette

Nicolette — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:33:33 +0000

Sandy E. you just made me giggle. I really like that saying.

By: Jacque

Jacque — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:32:40 +0000

I don’t think you really hit the key point of this post. You used it to show that all of your values are more important than something else that you may be doing. But, the point is to be happy doing what you are doing and don’t let your mind trick you into a “grass is always greener” mentality. If you have that mentality, your time is never spent well enough, you never make enough money, you never love your kids enough, you never have enough happiness. Stop thinking about other people/places/things all the time and live in the moment. Then when something truly more important comes along and diverts your attention, you know it’s the real thing.

By: Sandy E.

Sandy E. — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:30:03 +0000

This reminds me of that old saying that goes: if you have one foot in the past, and one foot in the future, then you’re peeing all over the present!

Living in the moment comes easy with me now because I am older, and realized that I’ve become everything that I wanted to be. At some point you have to stop striving so much and start being, and enjoying the ride!

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:14:42 +0000

Love this post and know how true it is. I don’t know if it is age (or perhaps wisdom?), but living in the moment seems easier for me now than it was when I was younger.