We know that current behaviour emulates what we have learned from our past, which is why it is even more difficult to make changes in the present.
Having an open mind and looking at the bigger picture on some of our experiences will help us to understand those experiences better. It’s also important to take note of how the past shapes us, what we think and feel about what we have had to deal with.
Understanding our experiences a little more, will also help us realise just how much clutter we’ve accumulated over the years. But removing mental clutter helps us clear out the old thoughts. There will be memories that we will want to hold on to, but there will also be the memories that will continue to hurt us and cause resentment.
Those are the memories we need to deal with and move on from. It’s our attitude that damages us. It’s not what happens to us, but how we choose to be affected by it. As Confucius once said, “To be wronged or robbed is nothing, unless we choose to remember it.” In the same way our health starts, at the point we choose not to carry the hurt any more.
I once read that what separates man from beast is the power of self reflection, whether that is a positive or negative power is in how we either learn or suffer with it.
I am of the impression that we gain closure on the past which consists of refection in a realistic light whilst accepting the result good or bad. It took me a long time to gain the ability to accept people and situations and have true forgiveness if the situation was to my dislike.
It's a lifelong work in progress to maintain this in my life but a blessing when I can maintain it.
For anyone Brian, I believe it is a lifelong work in progress. It is of course a blessing however we maintain it.
It's so hard for some reason to let go of certain things. I guess it's because it hurt to so bad that it left a lasting impression in my mind. I'm learning and the impression is smoothing out. I know it can't happen overnight. I'm working on it daily and getting better, thanks to you and your site.
Lisa these things do take time to work through, but the fact that you're working through some of it and moving yourself into a better place is great.
Unless we're already there and know how to live our lives without living in the past, this will be something that we should all work on. It's part of the human condition.