[GillTeepbew]

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle explains it nicely and in a way that tends to be more practical and less spacy than other sources. I would suggest you read that book for a start. Two books that talk about many of the same things from a non-spacy, practical perspective also are Buddhism, Plain and Simple by Steven Hagen and Buddhism is not what you Think by Steven Hagen.

So far, and with all due respect, I'm not getting the answers I'd hoped for. It would seem to me that it is almost impossible in today's world not to live with at least half an eye on the future, especially if someone is raising children or taking care of an elderly parent, etc. I can understand not dwelling on the past, but that is also the place where we learned (hopefully) and to apply the knowledge it would seem we'd need to search our memories at times.