--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can't live our lives obsessing about…" description: "\"We can't live our lives obsessing about the past or mourning the future. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to live every moment o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/lisa-mangum-14134_every-moment_we-can-t-live-our-lives-obsessing-about_2573059.png" --- # We can't live our lives obsessing about the past or… ![“We can't live our lives obsessing about the past or mourning the future. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to live every moment of our lives the best we can.” quote by Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/lisa-mangum-14134_every-moment_we-can-t-live-our-lives-obsessing-about_2573059.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/lisa-mangum-14134_every-moment_we-can-t-live-our-lives-obsessing-about_2573059.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/lisa-mangum-14134_every-moment_we-can-t-live-our-lives-obsessing-about_2573059.png) > “We can't live our lives obsessing about the past or mourning the future. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to live every moment of our lives the best we can.” [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living in the present is essential; obsessing over past regrets or future anxieties hinders personal responsibility and fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Focus on the now, not past or future. Key Takeaway Practice present‑moment awareness daily. Themes mindfulness presence responsibility well‑being growth Mood calm reflective motivated Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - journaling - goal setting - stress reduction Key Concepts temporal focus psychological health self‑care Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance reflection with present action? - What habits help stay grounded? A Different Perspective Neglecting reflection can repeat past mistakes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-moment/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Live every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-every-moment/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Mourning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mourning/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [When the past dies, there is mourning, but when the future dies our imaginations are compelled to carry it on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/when-the-past-dies-there-is-mourning-but-when-the-future-dies-our/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“Maybe you could drive yourself crazy trying to chart backward all the causes and effects, all the ends and means, tracing everything to some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mullen/maybe-you-could-drive-yourself-crazy-trying-to-chart-backward-all-the/) [Thomas Mullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mullen/) > [“As his mother said, once you started worrying about the future, you started obsessing about the past.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/as-his-mother-said-once-you-started-worrying-about-the-future-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Make a conscious effort to live in the present today. When you catch yourself obsessing over the past or worrying about the future just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/make-a-conscious-effort-to-live-in-the-present-today-when-you-catch/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [“Yes, you’re here to do a job, but more than that, you’re here to grow as a person, so you can do bigger jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ell-leigh-clarke/yes-you-re-here-to-do-a-job-but-more-than-that-you-re-here-to-grow-as/) Ell Leigh Clarke > [“We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with problems. But there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/we-are-at-the-very-beginning-of-time-for-the-human-race-it-is-not-2/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“We have a chance in the future only if we take our own responsibility. Not anyone else come to give us good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-michael-of-romania/we-have-a-chance-in-the-future-only-if-we-take-our-own-responsibility/) King Michael of Romania > [Providing for our future's my responsibility. Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/providing-for-our-future-s-my-responsibility-yeah-i-m-real-good-under/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with problems. But there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/we-are-at-the-very-beginning-of-time-for-the-human-race-it-is-not/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [The future is our responsibility, but change will not take place until the majority loose confidence in their dictator’s and elected officials’ ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/the-future-is-our-responsibility-but-change-will-not-take-place-until/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [To provide for the future is a part of one's responsibility in life; and the world has scant consideration for the man who neglects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-latham-doherty/to-provide-for-the-future-is-a-part-of-one-s-responsibility-in-life/) [Henry Latham Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-latham-doherty/) > [“It's your responsibility to live an interesting life, because it's too easy not to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-your-responsibility-to-live-an-interesting-life-because-it-s-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We're in a fight for our principles and our first responsibility is to live by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush-2/we-re-in-a-fight-for-our-principles-and-our-first-responsibility-is/) [George W Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush-2/) > [You are where you are today because you stand on somebody's shoulders. And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-jordan/you-are-where-you-are-today-because-you-stand-on-somebody-s-shoulders/) [Vernon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-jordan/) > [All your acts affect all the people, people that you don't even know. So we have to live with responsibility. We have to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-luna/all-your-acts-affect-all-the-people-people-that-you-don-t-even-know/) [Diego Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-luna/) ## More by Lisa Mangum > [“You were all given the same chance. This day was your test. The monk who dropped the scale did so at my request. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/you-were-all-given-the-same-chance-this-day-was-your-test-the-monk/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [Happiness can be close by, even if your heart is far away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/happiness-can-be-close-by-even-if-your-heart-is-far-away/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“I'm not who you think I am, Abby," he said in English. I almost smiled. It was the kind of melodramatic line people said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/i-m-not-who-you-think-i-am-abby-he-said-in-english-i-almost-smiled-it/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“Once you identify what you lack then it's all you see anymore. Wanting something I couldn't have would only lead to unhappiness so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/once-you-identify-what-you-lack-then-it-s-all-you-see-anymore-wanting/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“The world is full of impossibilities - some beautiful, some terrible - but sometimes, when you least expect it, they can become possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/the-world-is-full-of-impossibilities-some-beautiful-some-terrible-but/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“No matter how many maybes you dream up you still always feel like it was your fault. Life somehow, you could have changed things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/no-matter-how-many-maybes-you-dream-up-you-still-always-feel-like-it/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [An unanticipated destination, perhaps, but you must admit,all the best journeys take unexpected detours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/an-unanticipated-destination-perhaps-but-you-must-admit-all-the-best/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [Somehow difficulties are easier to endure when you know your dream is waiting for you at the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/somehow-difficulties-are-easier-to-endure-when-you-know-your-dream-is/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“It's time, my children When the waves rise high When the waters run deep When the clock strikes midnight You'll feel the mark of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/it-s-time-my-children-when-the-waves-rise-high-when-the-waters-run/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [Pawns are really queens in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/pawns-are-really-queens-in-disguise/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“Do you trust me?" "Yes" "Then don't look back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/do-you-trust-me-yes-then-don-t-look-back/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [You know, I've learned that sometimes you can only see what you want to see by changing where you stand. And standing somewhere unexpected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/you-know-i-ve-learned-that-sometimes-you-can-only-see-what-you-want/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“My dad taught me never to talk to strangers," she said lightly. "We're all strangers in the beginning." "Then what are we in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/my-dad-taught-me-never-to-talk-to-strangers-she-said-lightly-we-re/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“You have a free manicure, and I have something sweet to remember you by. We both win.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/you-have-a-free-manicure-and-i-have-something-sweet-to-remember-you/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) > [“It takes courage to remove our masks. But it takes greater courage to allow those we care about to remove their own masks when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mangum/it-takes-courage-to-remove-our-masks-but-it-takes-greater-courage-to/) [Lisa Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) [Explore all 47 Lisa Mangum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mangum/) ## More Every moment quotes > [“Will you destroy something in order to make it beautiful? Will you avoid something in order to fall in love with it? Will you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-hassan-barbhuiya/will-you-destroy-something-in-order-to-make-it-beautiful-will-you/) [Hanif Hassan Barbhuiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-hassan-barbhuiya/) > [“His expression is inscrutable. 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I'm learning how to stand onstage for two hours and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-m-getting-to-a-point-where-everything-is-becoming-streamlined-in-my/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [This moment in which you experience stillness is every moment. Don't let the mind seduce you into the past or future. Stay in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/this-moment-in-which-you-experience-stillness-is-every-moment-don-t/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [You'll never see me coming around the corner not smiling... I mean, I enjoy every moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquem-griffin/you-ll-never-see-me-coming-around-the-corner-not-smiling-i-mean-i/) [Shaquem Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquem-griffin/) > [I don't think it's always a sign of respect for persons (inside or outside of fiction) to pretend to be able to represent, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lerner/i-don-t-think-it-s-always-a-sign-of-respect-for-persons-inside-or/) [Ben Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lerner/) > [“You must enjoy and treasure every moment of your journey on earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-must-enjoy-and-treasure-every-moment-of-your-journey-on-earth/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Being a full-time mother is one of the biggest jobs in the world; it's like another career for me. I love every moment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darcey-bussell/being-a-full-time-mother-is-one-of-the-biggest-jobs-in-the-world-it-s/) [Darcey Bussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darcey-bussell/) > [Let us learn to accept and appreciate things now, and we'll find more happiness in every moment we live. Happiness comes when we stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/let-us-learn-to-accept-and-appreciate-things-now-and-we-ll-find-more/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [You and I are both life. There's just the experience of every moment. We like to call them moments. 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