by Amal Ibrahim

Created on: April 27, 2010

“The past is not a package one can lay away” Emily Dickinson. Many may agree with Emily that our pasts are not something that we can easily get rid of, but what if this past is holding us back from moving on and reaching our goals? What if this past is causing us a great course of pain and regret? Is it possible to lay it away? It is funny how our brains tend to work when it comes to memories. When we think of anything that happened in the past, whether it is our graduation ceremony, our wedding, or even a death of beloved one, we recall pictures and those pictures are coded as emotions. The emotions can be good or bad emotions and this process can happen either consciously or subconsciously. For instance, when we think of our graduation, we recall the feeling of joy and happiness and we are fully aware of this particular event and why it brings such a feeling in us. On the other hand, some patients may suffer from a certain type of phobias without recalling anything in their pasts that contributed to the development of such a condition.

To be able to let go and not to hold to your past is something that needs a lot of practice. It means that you are welling to be totally honest to yourself and to forget and forgive. It means also that you stopped blaming others and yourself and instead you are focusing on the positive side of your life.  We can all think of past as a good source of experience and wisdom and be grateful instead of being ashamed. The problem is, we often tend to blame and regret when we think of our pasts. This should not be the case at all; indeed god has given us memory to remember and learn from our mistakes, but not to live in them.  Many would say: this is nice, but you have no idea what I have gone through. That is absolutely right, but does it change anything thinking continuously about the past? We are neither our pasts nor our experiences. We are higher and smarter spiritual beings. Do not define yourself based on your past history because by doing this, you spoil your chance to have a better present.

From now on, redefine yourself and look at you as a unique smart spirit. Do not let your past shape your present and future. "We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.” – Robin Sharma

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