TOWARD THE FUTURE!

The past is behind us, so look to the future. Happiness for most people requires that they live in the present and positively look forward to the future. The past is done and cannot be re-lived again. It is not possible to undo events or actions, even if we regret or rue being a part of them. Many of us carry unpleasant memories from the past as well as a lot that are pleasant. If we allow it, the pleasant memories, in time, begin to heavily overshadow the less pleasant ones. We need to concentrate on the enjoyable memories and let them be the springboard to more enjoyment in the present and future. By putting our best efforts into this, we can do a lot for ourselves. Our attention to living in the present, taking care of what is happening today, planning for what the future might hold, and cherishing those about us, can help free us from the debts and burdens of the past. Each of us has only so much mental and physical energy. To waste this on what happened in the past, since it can't be changed, is not too useful.

Living the rule not to regret what we look back on is a little difficult certainly. However, by being busy with today and tomorrow, it can become increasingly less important to do so. Each major difficulty, trauma, crisis, or dissappointment puts a weight on us. Some persons seem to want to hold on to all their unhappy past and tell others how bad this was. Maybe this is for sympathy or better understanding. Maybe this is because their emotions are confused. Maybe they just don't have the readiness to see how negatively this affects them, and others around them. It large part, though, this seems to come from a large dose of regret and wishful thinking for "things to be better". We need to rid ourselves of these past weights to become more able to carry the new burdens that occur because things don't get better unless we help make them that way. Carrying all the burdens, past and present, is too much and our bodies and minds break under this. Having others sympathize or feel sorry for us is not very productive, although it seems to be something many want. To be happy, we have to break free from the past. Only by seeing the value of what good things can be done today, can we gain that freedom.