Making Bad Decisions/Consequences

Living in the moment. I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of the phrase. But just in case you haven't, it means to live for the present and the present only. You're not looking at the past and you're not thinking about the future. You're living for now, and nothing else matters. Some say it's the key to happiness and others say it will only cause you to make bad decisions that you'll later regret. For me, it's both. I like living in the moment because I simply do whatever I want to do, which, of course, would make happy. I feel free from all restrictions, and as if no one can stop me. But, living in the moment is also why I have gotten into trouble many times before. I don't think about my possible consequences (future) nor do I look back on similar circumstances (past). But I'm happy when "living in the moment", also. So which do I choose: unhappiness without any trouble or happiness with trouble (later)? Most of the time I choose trouble later because I believe life is about being happy no matter what anyone else thinks. It's about being you. I chase every chance I get to have happiness, because I'm often not in the best mood due to my insecurities and inner issues. I also like living in the moment because I like to rebel against people who try to tell me I can't do things. Most of the time those people are my parents. If they would tell me I couldn't do something that one of my friends could do, I would get very very upset and felt that they were restricting me for no reason.. but they were only trying to protect me because they care. I thought they were very unfair because I was a good kid (for the most part) and I felt that I should be allowed to do everything I wanted to do. But they have realized that they can't hold onto me as tight as they used to because soon enough they'll have to let me go completely. They are being somewhat more lenient now. Well, my mom is at least.

Half a year ago is when it truly opened my eyes that I should not live in the moment, even if I'm happiest when I do. There were many consequences I had to face and I realized the trouble is so much worse than the short amount of happiness I get. I think realizing this placed me a step closer to maturity. I still have my moments where I don't care about anything but the "now" but I really am working on this problem. I try to remember to think before I act. I tell myself no sometimes, to save me from trouble. I stopped doing a lot of the things I used to do all the time. I'm more cautious of what image I'm portraying when I do things. I'm making progress, slowly but surely. And I'm proud of myself for that, even if I don't always get what I want.