A click, a snap, in a flash, or a blink. In a second, minute, or a tick of the clock. Life changes every second of every day. The past is the past. It was yesterday, an hour ago, and even a minute behind. But that second and that minute shaped our lives. It inched a way into our history, our personality. That history added a brick to our being. Becoming who we are today.
The past thoughts
I have heard people say things like, “don’t let your past define you.” Or how about this one, “I am the way I am because of my past”? Here is another one, “you can’t change the past, but you can make changes for a better future you.”
I hear so many special quotes from movies, especially from animated ones. One of my favorites is from Kung Fu Panda by Disney. The quote “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it’s called the present.” Until someone has perfected a time machine, minutes ago when you started reading this, is gone. It is history, never to get back.
Life changes
Life does change in every second of our lives. It is all of those seconds we need to cherish and make good use of. Because we will never see them again. There are no do-overs. No rewinds to do it right. So why do we focus on our past so hard? Why is it so important to define our past, today?
It is true that our past experiences and all of the people that were a part of our lives over the past do shape and mold us into who we are…that is to some degree. The past is not the only reason. It is also strong enough to show us what we don’t want for our future.
Who we are today
My past is filled with anxiety. Life complete with quiet times, worry, sprinkled with fun times with few friends, make believe and topped off with love from my family. As a child I was very shy. Being the youngest and only girl of the family, I stayed close to my parents. Because I was always around adults, I remained quiet and listened to everyone. Watched their movements and behaviors. Slowly fading into the background to observe everyone else.
This part of my past shaped my personality of today. Now in my 40’s I am still scared to interact with too many people. When I am with friends of 2 others, I am outgoing and interactive. The instant a 3rd person joins the group, I shutdown to a quiet stance to observe. The interaction comes to an almost complete stop. Just sitting there to watch the casual change in how others react during the conversations. Keeping a watch over the surroundings too.
Who we can become
I know of some friends that have had a past filled with adversity, struggle, and constant battle to prove worth. Their past has made them more cautious in their interactions, but it has also provided them the knowledge of how they do not want to behave with their own children. A past to show them that behaviors have an impact on children deeper than many parents realize.
The past is also a time that we should not dwell on too hard. Like I said, until we have developed a time machine, there is no way to change, fix, or alter the past. It is what it is. There is no undoing it. To waste time and energy focused on the past, wastes the time of now. You lose the chance to be you today. Because your now, is this second. Not a minute from now or a minute ago. Right now. It is this finite time in your life that is precious.
Not the past, but now
Now is who we are. Not future us, or past us. It is now. You don’t know who you are or what change will come in the next minute. The unknown life altering click, snap, blink that will stop you, push you forward, or make you better. Because right this second is us. It is you and me existing, being exactly who we are.
Learn from your past. Understand that your past just is. Just don’t dwell on the past. Since you cannot change the past, work on your future. Push yourself for a bright future. Live for you today and tomorrow. Because yesterday is history. The past is over.
With great warmth,
Awesome blog enjoyed it very much
Thank you. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it.