I’ve been told (by professionals)if I’m sad, upset, feeling guilt, or grief, depressed and down that my mind has been focused on events, experiences and behaviors of the past. Only something that has occurred could invoke these feelings.
When I’m anxious, worried, or even feeling panic I’m certainly projecting worse case scenarios into a future moment that has yet to occur,(and in many cases never does or at least is not as bad as we imagined). I suffer more in my mind than I do from experience.

Each of these levels of discomfort or distress are self inflicted and wholly unnecessary. The situations that are the center of my focus are not real. They only exist as thought. The past and future are not actual realities. They are fantasies no more or less real than imagining I won the lottery or was a Roman Emporer.
Life only exists in the second, nanosecond, instant. When I keep my mind on what is real;NOW, and take actions toward my best future with a positive attitude, faith and the awareness of the power of my mind, there is much less to be anxious or sad about.
Let the dead bury the dead they say.
So I will unwrap my present from the universe and realize it is a canvass for me to create my reality on.
Each moment is a new beginning with a new present to open. Instead of wondering about what lies ahead, I will enjoy the gift of now. When later becomes now, I will be excited for another present.