Nostalgia imbues the past with a magical and romantic quality. It draws us like iron to a magnet, especially where there is no hurt or regret involved. The good old days is a favorite phrase, memory lane is a well-worn path.
For those of us yet to actualize our dreams, the past seems much better than the present. Things seem to be getting progressively worse. If we could board a time machine and go back in time, most of us would take a leave of absence and go live in the past. Maybe even quit the present, sell off our “assets” and say goodbye to today. Sadly, figuratively lots of folks are.
In reality, things get better with time. There is a human tendency to glamorize the past, the days of our grandparents, etc. We admit the dead into sainthood, all their flaws or mistakes forgotten or forgiven. Speak no ill of the dead. Speak no ill of the past…
No matter how glorious we think our past was, to enter the future, we have to let go of the past. We cannot embrace both at the same time. Try to go forward and backward at the same time. You remain stuck in the same position. No matter what place the past holds in our hearts, nostalgia or regret, it is time to say goodbye. It is time to let go, and move on…
There is nothing wrong with going down memory lane. There are lessons to learn, things to discover and analyze, and the benefit of hindsight to glean from. These are events, moments in time when you look back and evaluate, for the purpose of applying the lessons and findings in aid of your present quest. After all is said and done, it is time to simply move on. We have to let go of the past and embrace the future.
The major pitfall in falling in love with the past is that we stand the risk of pitching our tent there and ending our journey right there, especially at the site where our last attempt failed. Like a traveler that ended his journey at a roadway, we allow past issues to dominate our present, effectively crowding out the future…
Time can be split into three segments; past, present, and future. Our minds handle these in three ways.
It remembers/re-plays the past
It analyzes the present
It imagines/pre-play the future.
If we overload our minds with the past, it has no room to analyze the present or imagine/pre-play the future, which holds the key to our journey.
The past is gone forever. It can never happen again or come back, no matter how much we wish it or keep replaying it. The cast of characters that made up our past have all grown and moved on, and some are dead. We cannot re-assemble that cast again. The best-planned school reunions cannot make you guys teenagers again. You can only do make-believe. Let go of your past. It is a waste of time clinging to it. Face reality.
There is no time like the present. Our past produced this present. We can still do something about the present, and determine what happens tomorrow, today. Most cause-and-effect cycles are short-term to long-term. It may take some time before we begin to see results. There are things that can take immediate effect, but they are precious few. That is why nothing worthwhile comes easy. If you attempt to take a shortcut, you abort the process and cut yourself short.
The future belongs to those who can see tomorrow, those who use their God-given gift of imagination to pre-play the future. The future begins today. That is why today is very important. The seeds of tomorrow are sown today. No seed time, no harvest. It is a simple law of nature that cannot be violated no matter who you are, peasant or heir apparent.
You can make a difference today. That is why you need to focus on the present and future. One cannot make much progress by driving with your eyes focused on the rearview mirror. You will end up in a ditch, or hit something. You become an accident waiting to happen.
Forgetting about the past may involve forgiveness. Forgiving those who hurt or wronged you. Most of all, forgive yourself for past blunders. The major culprit in past blunders is you. Beating ourselves up for past blunders is a favorite pastime for most of us. We need to forgive ourselves and give ourselves a second chance so that we can move on.
Forgiveness brings healing and restoration to emotions and relationships. It clears us of lots of emotional baggage and garbage that we have been carrying about. It sets you free to face current issues. Forgive and move on…
Forget about your past failures. Learn the lessons and begin again. Forget about past victories. Leverage it and move on higher. Forget about past hurts, forgive, and press on. Look forward. Free your mind to see the future, and work/walk towards it in the present. Say goodbye to yesterday…
When you finally cross the finish line, you can afford the luxury of looking back again, with a grateful heart. Let me leave you with an old classic…
Lord,
Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage, to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference…
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