The protagonist grapples with the weight of past regrets and future pressures, seeking a way to live solely in the moment. This desire to focus on the present stems from a longing for freedom from the burdens of guilt associated with prior actions and the anxiety of fears yet to come. By detaching from these emotional anchors, he yearns for a simpler existence, one that allows him to experience life as it unfolds without the complications of reflection or anticipation.

This mindset resonates with the themes presented in Margaret Atwood's "The Blind Assassin," where characters often confront their own histories and expectations. The quote encapsulates the struggle between being anchored in the past or future versus the liberating potential of immersing oneself in the present. By embracing the here and now, one can find clarity and peace, unencumbered by what has been or what might be ahead.