When I first heard this idea that the past doesn’t exist, I thought it was ridiculous. But as I thought a bit more about it, it started making a lot more sense. Think about it, time is linear. The only thing(s) we actually experience is what takes place in the present moment; what is happening now. Once something has happened, it is over; it is in the past.
This is not to deny our memories or how our past shapes us – some events and memories we are quite fond of and we enjoy ruminating over them. But, when our memories of certain past events become a source of pain and negativity, we oftentimes create this non-existent world within our (present) mind where we continually, yet unconsciously, inflict mental and emotional harm upon ourselves. This is not healthy and can be a very real source of anxiety and depression. We get stuck in a negative feedback loop about our self that does us absolutely no good.
Therefore, thinking and dwelling on bad things and events that happened to us in the past is rather absurd. If the past doesn’t truly exist in the present, then neither do any of those negative events. The past only exists within our own individual minds. No single person on the planet has the ability to think the exact same thought as another person. This whole idea of keeping the painful past alive within our thoughts is self-defeating. We need to maintain a healthier state of mind by focusing on bringing our attention to the present and avoid revisiting all of those negative experiences from our past that do not exist in the now. We can’t move backward in time, we can only use the present to propel us forward.
We can also allow these negative thoughts of our past to influence the actions of our present and the thoughts of our future. The past does not equal the future, however, if we’re not mindful of our thoughts, we can make it equal the future. At some point in life we lost the ability to live moment by moment. We became weighted down with past disappointments and future dread. We had visions of ourselves as we wanted to be, but didn’t quite manage to get there. We still see ourselves as someone other than who we are; someone better, healthier or possibly happier. But, we quickly dismiss that person by thinking of every reason under the sun as to why it will never happen. Why do we do this?
Whatever you continually tell yourself about you is exactly who you have become. If you want to be more like that better version of you that you’ve created in your mind, then you need to tell yourself better things. The (better) person you are imagining deserves a chance, but only you can help them come to life. Spend time getting to know that person in your mind. What would their thoughts be? How would they see the world? Would they leave the bad things in the past where they belong? If you spend more time focusing on the person you truly want to become and get deep inside their mind, you can and will become that person; the true self you’ve always wanted to be. Direct your attention on the present so the future (better) you can thrive. Remember, the past doesn’t exist.
At least, that’s my opinion.
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