The Past Is Past

"Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present!" - Thomas S. Monson

It is understandable to have some feelings of regret about some of the things we've done in the past. But we shouldn't live in regret. We may still carry heavy burdens of guilt and have not forgiven ourselves. We may even wish to shut the door of memory and permanently block out whole periods of our lives, which would be denial. 

However, it's possible to become grateful for the past. It is possible to abandon our 'old way' of thinking about the past, and view it with new perspectives that will allow us to come to terms with it. Maybe we haven't realized, or given ourselves enough credit for changing our past behavior patterns and constructing new lives. If you have, give yourself some credit.

First, it starts by viewing your past for what it was. Nothing more, nothing less. Take full responsibility for it. Own it. Everything and everyone from your past served its purpose in creating who you are today. Everything happens for a reason. Everyone played the role they were intended to play. Life happens for you, not to you. If you understand and believe in this concept it will change your whole perspective on how you view the past. There is always something to be cherished or learned from every experience. The good and the bad. 

Often it isn't regret for the things we actually did, but in the way we feel about those things today. And then let it go. The past is exactly that, the past. You cannot go back. You cannot change it.  You can only work to create a better future. You can't master your future if you are a slave to your past. The past can be valuable as long as you don't live there.

Second, you need to forgive.  Forgive yourself and forgive others. You cannot control other people. You may think you can, but you can't. Nor is it truly fair to think you can. You can influence others, but the truth is only they can control who they are and what they choose to do. They have to decide. 

Third, likewise, you need to use your power to choose. Everything results from the choices you make. Choose to live in the present. Choose to believe in yourself. Choose your attitudes. Choose your thoughts. Choose your responses. Choose your actions.  Choose to learn from, but release your past.  Choose to forgive yourself and others so that you can live without regret or remorse. Choose to make a difference in your own life from this day forward.

Make today great!

Curtis

"The past will be your teacher if you learn from it; your master if you live in it." - Steve Maraboli