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Psychologist: True value comes with a high price, happiness is in the present moment
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Psychologist: True value comes with a high price, happiness is in the present moment

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Psychologist Gabriel Rolón states that happiness is found only in the present moment, not in idealizing the past or future.
  • He explains that memories are edited over time, often becoming idealized, which can hinder present happiness if one clings too tightly to them.
  • Rolón emphasizes that while past experiences shape us, they do not dictate our ability to build happiness now, urging people to live in the present.

Psychologist and writer Gabriel Rolón believes happiness exists solely in the present, contrasting this with idealized notions of the past or uncertain future hopes. "It will always cost if it's truly worth it. If something is really important to you, the price will be high," Rolón stated, recalling his parents' emphasis on effort to achieve goals.

It will always cost if it's truly worth it. If something is really important to you, the price will be high.

— Gabriel RolónRolón stated his belief that true value comes with a high price, reflecting on his upbringing and the effort required to achieve meaningful goals.

He explained that memory is a "particular and enigmatic" place where lost things are kept, but memories are not always intact. "We do a kind of editing, a photoshopping of memories," he described. Over time, people tend to idealize moments, relationships, or life stages. "Our parents who are no longer with us become perhaps nobler, more sensitive people than they were. Our childhood can also transform into more beautiful places," he noted.

The problem arises when individuals become too attached to this reconstructed past, neglecting the possibility of building happiness in the present. Rolón stressed that while acknowledging past happy moments is valid, "what was is already lost." These memories hold value for giving life meaning and understanding the journey, efforts, and connections made. However, they should not impede the pursuit of current well-being.

We do a kind of editing, a photoshopping of our memories.

— Gabriel RolónRolón described how memories are not static but are actively altered and idealized over time.

Rolón urged, "Let's not get off the ride of life ahead of time." He observed that people often focus on future happiness or yearn for past joy, neglecting to experience the present. "Let's try something here, now," he summarized. While dreams and future projects remain vital, he cautioned against permanently postponing present contentment.

Our parents who are no longer with us become perhaps nobler, more sensitive people than they were. Our childhood can also transform into more beautiful places.

— Gabriel RolónHe explained the tendency to idealize past figures and experiences as time passes.

"We are what we do with what was done to us," Rolón concluded, highlighting that memories and experiences shape individuals but do not entirely determine their capacity to build happiness in the here and now.

what was is already lost.

— Gabriel RolónRolón acknowledged the value of past happy moments but stressed that they are in the past and should not prevent present happiness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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