As the pace of life has accelerated, the idea of living simply – the idea of developing a quiet mind – has gained popularity. Not that you cannot live a full, busy and varied life living within the present moment. But, we so often at times find this difficult as we tend to hold on to past circumstances or actions.
We tend to let our past define us. We allow earlier events, along with our responses to them, decide who we are. We need to sever this connection. Conditon the mind to view past circumstances as nothing more than training for the future. Things happened, we responded. Perhaps mistakes were made, we learned from them. Our past is now instruction that provides us with insight into how best to respond in our present and future.
Basically, the thing to remember about the past, is that we cannot change it. Everything that was ever done is simply over. And, while we can almost always learn from it, and sometimes change effects that are continuing into the present, we cannot undo what we have done. To chew old “cud” endlessly, to be reminded of how we did this or that and how we should have done it or to agonize over a past decision, are all for not. Since we can only live in the present moment, it is self-negating to let ourselves be hurt about what used to be.
While you can develop insight into yourself by examining your past, the fact is that the insight itself won’t change the past or present and that blaming your past for what you are today will just plain keep you stuck. Most great thinkers have forgotten the past, except for experiences or history that could help them and to continue to live totally in the present, with an eye toward improving their future. We can learn from the past, but we do not have to live there.
Even Shakespeare alludes to the negativity of consuming ourself with the past in several of his plays. “What is gone and past help, should be past grief”. As well as “things without remedy, should be without regard, what is done, is done”.
The art of forgetting can be essential to the art of living. All of those dreadful negative memories or thoughts you’ve so carefully stored away in your brain, are hardly ever worth recalling. As the master of what stays in your brain, you don’t have to choose to keep them. Rid yourself of those self-crippling memories and most importantly, forgive yourself or others if it helps to do so. There is is not use or reason to continue to suffer over and over again, of past situations.
Not that positive memories cannot be cherished, but at times in life, the past memories should take a backseat to present precious moments. Rather than thinking of past or future moments, learn to cherish new pleasant experiences. If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly the present moments in time.
The quality of your moments produce the quality of your life. Enjoy your moments in time. They deserve your full attention, for they will not pass your way again.
Allow yourself that wonderful opportunity. You totally deserve it!
