“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
— Leonardo da Vinci
Simplified Meaning:
When you touch water in a river, you're touching the end of the water that has already flowed by and the start of the water that is coming next. This is similar to the present moment in our lives. Just like the river, time is always moving. The present moment is like touching that water – it’s a mix of what has just happened and what is about to happen. Imagine you're watching a parade. The float that is in front of you is the present moment. The float that has just passed is the past, and the ones you haven't seen yet are the future. The float in front of you is special because it connects what has already gone by with what is coming next. In life, you can use this idea to remind yourself to live in the moment. Appreciate what is happening right now, because it’s unique and will soon be part of your past. By focusing on the present, you can make the most of your time and enjoy your experiences fully instead of worrying too much about what happened before or what is yet to come.