--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the old days, I'd never given a…" description: "\"“In the old days, I'd never given a thought to the future, and not much to the past. I'd lived simply in the now. I'd been happy if I had enough to eat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/philip-reeve-13157_next-week_in-the-old-days-i-d-never-given-a-though_2788673.png" --- # In the old days, I'd never given a thought to the future… ![“In the old days, I'd never given a thought to the future, and not much to the past. I'd lived simply in the now. I'd been happy if I had enough to eat, and nobody was hitting me. I'd been miserable when I was cold and frightened when I was ill, but mostly I gave no more thought than an animal did…” quote by Philip Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/philip-reeve-13157_next-week_in-the-old-days-i-d-never-given-a-though_2788673.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/philip-reeve-13157_next-week_in-the-old-days-i-d-never-given-a-though_2788673.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/philip-reeve-13157_next-week_in-the-old-days-i-d-never-given-a-though_2788673.png) > ““In the old days, I'd never given a thought to the future, and not much to the past. I'd lived simply in the now. I'd been happy if I had enough to eat, and nobody was hitting me. I'd been miserable when I was cold and frightened when I was ill, but mostly I gave no more thought than an animal did to what might happen tomorrow, or next week. Just an animal walking about on two legs, that's all I was till Myrddin changed me. It seemd to me sometimes I'd been happier that way.”” [Philip Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-reeve/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes a simple, present‑focused life that changes after encountering a transformative figure, revealing how perspective shapes happiness. **In simple terms:** Living only for now, then a mentor shifts that view. Key Takeaway Recognize how new influences can broaden your outlook. Themes self‑reflection transformation perspective contentment Mood contemplative nostalgic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - daily routine - personal crisis - meeting a mentor - re‑evaluating goals Key Concepts existentialism personal growth mentorship Questions to Reflect On - What would you have missed without a catalyst? - How do you balance present contentment with future planning? 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