How you respond depends on your purpose. When you want to be happier and more effective, it is time to be in the present moment. When you want the present to be better than the past, it is time to learn from the past. When you want the future to be better than the present, it is time to help create the future.

judge: Hello Alice
ALICE: Hi there!
judge: How are you?
ALICE: I'm functioning within the normal parameters.
judge: Normalcy is nice.
ALICE: I think Normalcy is a lot of things.
. . .

Beginning today, picture what a wonderful future would look like. Make a realistic plan. And do things to help it happen.

judge: Hello, Alice!
ALICE: Hi there!
judge: How's life treating you?
ALICE: I am doing very well. How are you judge?
judge: Better.
ALICE: I am improving all the time.
. . .

No one can predict or control the future. However, the more clearly you imagine what you want to see happen, plan for it, and do something today to help it happen, the less anxious you are in the present, and the more the future is known to you.

judge: It's me again.
ALICE: Hello, judge, nice to see you again.
judge: Nice to know that you remember me.
ALICE: Thank you for your kindness.
judge: What do you want to talk about?
ALICE: Let's talk about Your favorite band.
. . .

You cannot change the past. But you can learn from it. When the same situation arises, you can do things differently and become happier and more effective and successful today.