What makes happy people tick? One major factor is that happy people live in the moment...not as careless idiots, but as people bound and determined to savor every second of life. If we fixate on the past, we may find ourselves prone to regrets and nostalgia. Fixate on the future, and it's very possible to become overwhelmed by anxiety, or, conversely, unfounded optimism. Being aware of our perspectives on the past and the future and finding balance is how we utilize that information is a good start in finding happiness in the present.