“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
This quote is by physicist Albert Einstein, who is well known for his many discoveries in physics and related fields.
Learn from yesterday: Learning takes place throughout our lives and in many ways. From an early age, we learn by hearing what other people say; observing people’s facial expressions, gestures, and actions; interacting with others; and taking in our surroundings. And there is the more formal learning of attending school. We also learn by reading, not just academic reading but all genres. All that we learn becomes a part of who we are, influencing the decisions we make on a daily basis. The words “learn from yesterday” also remind me that we learn from mistakes we make and of how important it is to not be afraid to make mistakes, for that learning helps us too.
Live for today: Often we have a tendency to dwell on the past or to think about the future, looking forward to things we have planned or outcomes we hope will happen. It’s natural to sometimes think about the past and the future, but it matters very much to live in the present moment and to make the most of doing that. Being present with those we love, focusing on the task at hand, and appreciating the positive aspects of each day.
Hope for tomorrow: Being hopeful helps us to live a more meaningful life. Staying hopeful is challenging at times, especially when we or someone we love is experiencing difficulty, when we are grieving, or when we think about some of the problems in our world. And yet we need to remember that many positive, uplifting, and healing things occur every day in our world as well. And we can do our best to do our part to add to that which is positive and hopeful.
Our Creator gives us the ability to learn from yesterday, to live for today, and to hope for tomorrow. By trying to discern what our inner wisdom guides us to do and then trying to live according to that wisdom, we are able to do each in a more meaningful way.