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Leaving the past, in the past.

The past can be useful, everything we now know we learned at some past time. There’s utility in remembering past mistakes so we don’t repeat them, as well as past victories so we can improve. Even old memories can be nice to revisit.

The trouble begins when we get mentally locked in the past. This can cause all sorts of problems, it can have us filled to the brim with guilt and shame, In some zombie like state, totally disconnected from the present moment we’re living in.

If we’re not careful and conscious, we can miss out on fully being present in and experiencing this day, week, month, or year. We’re living here now, not back there. So why keep looking back? Why keep punishing ourselves for past mistakes?

I believe it’s often a deep rooted fear, that if we forgive ourselves, let go of our past misadventures and move on, we may repeat the same mistakes. So instead many of us torture ourselves mentally each day, but thats obviously not the wise solution.

We don’t need to keep digging up whats gone, we wont repeat the same painful mistakes if we have processed them correctly. We know not to touch a hot stove or play with fire, those lessons have been engrained, same with the past mistakes.

Maybe the past does need a bit more processing, I always remember that what we resist persists, theres no sense in resisting and fighting uncomfortable memories, let them surface, and wash away. You’re not that person anymore, you’ve grown.

We all make mistakes, we all mess up, don’t let your own mind keep haunting you. When the past comes back up to beat on you, don’t be afraid. The memories will pass by, like a cloud in the sky if we just observe and don’t grip or cling to them.

So let’s leave the past in the past, stop digging it up. When it comes up on its own in the mind thats alright, let it be and it will pass. Most importantly we must forgive ourselves and others, it’s for our own healing and wellbeing to forgive.

Are you still feeling tormented by the past in some way? If you are, it’s normal, most people have some level of remorse for their mistakes (except psychopaths). The thing is that was then and this is now. You’ve changed and improved, let it go.

As long as we’ve learned from our errors and changed course, the past served its purpose. We’re free to let it go now. No need to keep torturing yourself. It’s not helpful to anyone, and it just makes us way less effective in the present moment.

So, are you ready to forgive that younger, naive version of yourself? It’s time to move on. Life goes on my friend, keep your head up. Don’t dwell on things you can’t change, rather focus on the good you can do with the day ahead. Let it go.