Time only moves in one direction: forward. Life is very much the same way; you can only move forward. This forward momentum needs to apply to all aspects of your life; family, career, hobbies… Imagine if you work extra hard at woodworking as a hobby. You get quite good and start developing some really nice pieces. Then you become stagnant and put it away, only to come back to it a year later. You may realize that you can no longer create the pieces you could before. You’ve essentially moved backwards. And backwards is bad!
We are the sum of our experiences, but yet so much more. I agree wholeheartedly that in order to prevent repeating past mistakes, it’s of the utmost importance to remember them. But one cannot allow oneself to live in that past. You have to allow yourself to move forward towards a better future. This is the only way to grow and enjoy the life you’re in.
“Now If You Know What You’re Worth, Then Go Out And Get What You’re Worth!”
– Rocky Balboa
Something I’ve always tried to explain to people is that I maintain certain successes by never standing still. Being stagnant or sedentary is not only a bad idea, it basically kills your motivation and your opportunities. You have to keep moving. I’m always moving. I’m always doing something, whether it’s a workout, writing my blog posts, running errands or playing with my son. My inability to sit still sometimes drives my family crazy. Hell, it occasionally drives me crazy! But all my accomplishments in life are a result of never standing still. You NEED to push forward and improve. You can’t allow yourself to live in the past or stand still.
Our past experiences contain a number of things that are important to us and become a part of who we are. Good memories and experiences, bad memories and experiences, traumas, friendships, relationships… they all play a role in how we become the people we are today. But the problem with living within that past is that we come to depend on things that my have been said and done during a time when circumstances and life were different. And those circumstances no longer exist. This is why it becomes important to move forward. It doesn’t mean you need to FORGET those circumstances. You simply need to keep moving despite what may have become of them.
The aspects you’re clinging to may no longer be in the same arena as you are. And that’s not only detrimental to you, it can be harmful on your life and your relationships as well. Learn to let go of the past and move forward. Look towards improving your life as it currently exists, and let the experiences of the past guide you, but never control you. ☯
The Blogging Buddhist 