The Longest Trip
I think it’s a crime to tell someone to forget the past.
I’ve heard plenty of people tell other people to leave the past behind them. They say not to dwell on things that have happened.
I disagree.
While it’s not healthy to obsess about the negative things that have happened to us in our lives, it is certainly important to note that these incidents helped shape who we are.
A friend of mine is having some problems letting go of an issue. I told her that it’s okay to think about it, but to make it the sole purpose of her life may be stretching it a bit.
Some of her friends tell her to forget what’s troubling her. They ask her to bury it, so that it may never resurface.
In my opinion, it’s always good to deal with it in a constructive way, and move on. It will always be there in your mind. But if you choose to acknowledge your past, you will have a much easier time moving on with life.
On any trip, it’s always wise to carry at least a little baggage.
Filed under: Ponderings |
Barking Space 
I agree with you on this one. Our past, no matter how good or bad (or both) has shaped who we are. I wouldn’t trade my experiences (even the horrible, horrible ones I seem to keep having this past year), because I’ve learned from all of them.
OK, maybe there are a couple that I would trade.
Eventually, we should try to learn something positive out of all bad situations. Because if we don’t, then it’s a lot of time wasted on being sad with nothing good coming out of it. The lesson to learn may not be apparent right away, but it will come…..
I think its important to remember the things that shape us, the good and the bad. These things are all part of who we are and burying them is unhealthy.
It’s just as unhealthy to let these things consume us, though.
I read a book by someone named “Eckhart Tolle” called “The Power of Now”. One of his main points is that too many people live either in the future or in the past. Those that live in the future believe that things will be better when xxxx happens. Those that live in the past do not address the current issues of life because they feel they have not properly dealt with their pasts.
Either way, the past and the future do not exist. The past is just that .. gone and cannot be altered. The future also does not exist. It is one thing to learn from the past so that it can be applied to the present and the future. But too many people dwell in the past and use up their energy over things which were, instead of applying that energy to things that are. That is a total waste of energy and is unproductive. Even good memories can be a form of escapism if you use them to avoid the present.
The past should not be forgotten. But it should only affect you inasmuch as you can leverage those memories for application to your present life.
While you should never forget the past (and frankly, it would probably be an impossible feat even if you tried), it’s unwise to dwell on “what once was” or “what coulda/shoulda been”. We have limited control over our lives and lementing about paths not taken can become all consuming.
(Ok, that was enough sap for 2006. Merry Christmas Jorge and Happy New Year!)
I say, take a lesson from everything that’s happened to you, and leave the rest behind.
Merry Christmas, Jorge! I hope the day finds you surrounded by those you love.
Well said Jorge….
I like your philosophy on this one. I remember but have no regrets! If you have can’t resolve something the only one you are truely going to hurt is yourself!
Merry Christmas!