Lindsey made this statement in her blog yesterday:
"My entire life is supposed to only be focused on school. It is supposed to be the center of my life. Go to school and study and that is my life. I am working towards achieving my goals in life. "
This statement is an expression of a philosophy that's extremely prevalent in western countries such as the United States, and I think that this is one of the problems with western philosophy:
There is too much emphasis on the future. I agree that one should always know where one is going and plan accordingly -- but to devote every present moment (or the majority of moments) to a future moment that hasn't even happened yet?
"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. " -Eckhart Tolle
Eastern philosophy recognizes the pre-eminence of the present moment over both past and future. The past already happened, and the future hasn't happened yet. What's the significance? You don't live in either of them. Neither the past nor the future afford you any ability to act. Neither of them are real at all. Eckhart proposes it this way (paraphrased): When have you ever done anything outside of the present moment?
If you find that the majority of your focus is predominantly on some future moment, past moment or a combination of the two -- this being most likely -- perhaps you should look into becoming more present. Though it may prove very difficult, it is the only way you can ensure that you are living your actual life, and not some imaginary mental movie.