If You Don’t Let Go Of The Past, How Can You Capture The Future?

How many times have we become attached to our memories, to images of yesterday, and to people from the past, without realizing that in order to live the present moment and grasp the future, we must create a vacuum in our life and leave aside the feelings and nostalgia from which certain memories emanate?

There are many who live anchored in a past that no longer exists.

This paralysis prevents them from living their reality, enjoying the present moment and envisioning the future. By living in the past, they obstruct their dreams and goals, and remove others from their lives.

“If it is not your responsibility to change a situation that hurts you, you can always decide to face this suffering”

-Viktor Frankl –

3 steps to take to stop living in the past

There are many ways to let go of the past and let go of it, to put aside bad memories and make room for the famous “carpe diem” in order to live the present moment, here and now.

Have you ever stopped to think about those beautiful moments of happiness that you experience every day?

A conversation with a friend, a smile exchanged with your partner, a hug from your child, etc.

Just thinking about these acts is not enough. Live them when they happen, don’t give in to the distraction, put away your cell phone, turn off the television and listen to what this present around you sounds like, enjoy it with your five senses.

“If the present tries to judge the past, it will lose the future”

-Winston Churchill-

To take advantage of the present and see the future, we have to let go of this past to which we get attached so often and for no reason. Let it go, put it aside and go on living. Your life is just waiting to be lived.

Read the rest of this article, and you will discover 3 simple steps which, if you take them, will allow you to no longer live in the past:

Accept

The past cannot change, unlike the present and the future. So accept what has happened and let go of the guilt you carry on your shoulders that is preventing you from envisioning the future as well as living the present moment.

Acceptance is fundamental if we are to face the problems head-on.

To learn

In life, there is a lesson to be learned from every past experience. We already know what should not be reproduced, and what should be avoided.

If we make the same mistake again as in the past, then it will no longer be a mistake, but a choice.

If you had a choice, which would you prefer; stay anchored in your memories, or exploit every second of the present moment?

To forgive

Often times, we fail to forgive someone who has hurt us or a friend who has cheated on us.

Usually, over time, the grudge ends up weakening and diluting, because forgiving is a way to overcome this peace with ourselves and with others.

Forgive others, but truly forgive them, without being false, and forgive yourself as well.

Only this way will you free yourself from the chains that bind you to a past that you cannot change.

Seize the future

Give yourself the right to dream, take a deep breath, think about the future life you would like to live, and do your best and your impossible to make your dreams come true.

Set a goal for yourself, as well as the steps you need to take to reach it. What does the house where you would like to live look like? The places you would like to visit? What job would you like to have? Your ideal companion?

If you ask yourself all these questions and think that it all depends on luck or others, you are completely wrong, because the only person who can make your dreams come true is yourself.

No one will come ring your doorbell and offer you the job of your dreams, the man or woman you have always dreamed of will not come face to face with you one fine day, just like this house by the sea that you dream so much will not magically appear.

Go out and seize the future! Once you’ve set your goals, think about all the steps you need to take in order to reach them, develop a timeline, and plan all the details.

Each period of your life monitors your progress and corrects mistakes made. Be aware that a goal should be clear and concise, measurable and realistic.

“The future has many names. For the weak, it is elusive. For the reckless, the unknown. For the brave, this is the opportunity ”

-Victor Hugo-