By Foteini Lioliou,
How many times have you looked into the past wondering what could have happened if you had done something differently? Or how many times have you thought of changing the present moment or even your future?
It is certain that some of these thoughts have crossed your mind.
The past is a specific period of time that you have already experienced and that you cannot alter even if you want to. Most people tend to reminisce about the past all the time. Either they recall beautiful memories that they have lived or depressing situations that they wish they had avoided. Yet, nobody grasps the power the past holds. It can be the reason why people act in a certain way. It can be the reason why people have specific beliefs or emotions. For instance, if one person went through the loss of a relative recently, he or she will most likely think more about the times they have spent together and will perhaps be filled with sadness that this person is now gone. Overall, the past is a time period that has a great impact on people but it does not define them.
To put it simply, your past actions belong to the past. You can decide to accept the past, learn from it and move on or stay exactly where you are forever. Of course, the first option is too difficult for some but it is the most rewarding one. Finding the strength to let go of what occurred but still learning from it, is honestly the most significant thing ever since it allows you to grow. The acceptance of the mistakes and burdens of the past initiates the healing process. You heal from past events and you finally focus on what is now happening rather than what happened.
The present moment is also a time period that you have to embrace. The experiences that you are having now are equally important to the experiences that you had in the past. You must live in the present and attempt to make it as exquisite as possible. It is imperative to create memories with your beloved ones and with yourself. Everyone is too busy to remember that all you have is now. If you do not live in the now, the now will become an empty past. A past without memories to reminisce. Therefore, you shall not forget to exist loudly in the present moment and find the time to create as many beautiful memories as possible. Otherwise, you will have nothing to recall when you grow old.
As for the future, it is all that you dream about. All that you hope for and expect. Although the future is the one time period that has not yet arrived, it is the most anticipated one. It is truly amazing to believe that something good is just around the corner. It is good to place your dreams and hopes in something that could be bright. It is great making plans for the future and be confident that they will happen. The future is not something to be afraid of. Instead, it is the time period that you should welcome because it will make most of your dreams come true. There are those who put all of their faith in their future because they are aware that it will bring them closer to the achievement of their goals. And they are right. However, the future is defined by the present. Everything that you are doing now is going to be encountered in the near future.
Lastly, let us not forget that all these time periods should be harmonious with one another. It is crucial to have a balance between the past the present and the future in order to enjoy your life and feel happy. In other words, you need to stop living in the past but instead, live in the present and make plans for the future. That is a perfect balance.
References
- Don’t forget the past learn from it. ratry.medium.com. Available here
- On leaving the past behind: learning to move on. thirteenthoughts.com. Available here
