"Ne laissez pas hier prendre trop de votre aujourd'hui."

Sometimes, we get so caught up in what happened yesterday that we forget to live in the present. The main idea here is that dwelling too much on the past can steal away our present moments. Life’s too short for that.

This piece of wisdom can be traced back to Richard H. Nelson, an American golfer and author, who encouraged people to let go of their past mistakes and experiences. He was trying to emphasize the importance of focusing on the present rather than being bogged down by what’s already happened. If you're constantly replaying past events, you’re not giving yourself a chance to enjoy today.

Now, think about it practically. Imagine you had a rough day at work yesterday. Your boss was unhappy with your performance, and you made a big mistake on a project. It’s easy to wake up the next morning feeling the weight of that bad day. You might replay the criticism in your head, worry about your job security, and generally feel like you’re in a funk. But what if you let that go? What if, instead, you acknowledge what happened, learn from it, and then decide to start today with a fresh mindset? You’d probably feel lighter, more open to new opportunities, and more able to perform better at work.

So, how do you apply this idea? Here’s a tip: practice mindfulness. This can be as simple as taking a few minutes each morning to meditate, focusing on your breath, and setting a positive intention for the day. It can also mean taking active steps to address lingering issues from the past, like talking to a mentor about yesterday's work problem, and then making a conscious decision to move forward. Journaling can help too—write down what’s bothering you about the past, and then close that journal as a symbolic act of putting those thoughts away.

Let’s make it even more relatable. Picture this: you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, unloading your thoughts about a recent breakup. You go over every detail—what was said, what you should have said, how it all went wrong. Your friend looks at you and says, “Hey, don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” It clicks. You realize you’ve spent the last half-hour reliving the past instead of enjoying your coffee, your friend’s company, and the lovely day outside. Inspired, you decide to change the subject, laugh about old times, and make plans for the weekend. Suddenly, the atmosphere lightens, and you feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. You’ve chosen the present over the past.

By remembering that yesterday is behind you and today is what you’ve got, you give yourself the gift of the now. It's about making the most of the here and now—whether that’s a conversation with a friend, a task at work, or just enjoying a moment of peace. Life is happening right now, and it’s too precious to waste on what’s already done and gone. So, take a deep breath, let go of yesterday, and embrace today.