I look at the path, but I don't step any closer to it; I can't.

"Looking at the future won't help me grow," I say, stepping back. "Just like looking into my past, all it did was cause unnecessary pain and remind myself of unattained goals. If I look into my future, I have nothing in my present. Sure, if I look and see that I have a bright, incredible future ahead of me, I would be happy. But then the present wouldn't matter. I would only think about tomorrow. Just as if I look and see myself suffering in the future, much like I have in the past and present. I will resent the future and become terrified of it becoming my present. My present, my right now, isn't written in stone. Without knowing anything about the future, I can make it exactly what I want it to be by living in the present - living in the now."

"So, you're choosing to live in the present," Jin says.

"Yes," I say. "To stop living in the memories of the past or the promises of the future. The present is here with me right now, and if I look too far ahead or behind me, my present slips away and I'll have done nothing but reminisce and daydream instead of shaping my life into how I want it to be."

Jin bows his head again. "Then you know exactly what path to take. Good luck."

"Thank you," I whisper as he walks back into the trees until his silhouette isn't visible anymore.