My wife often complains that I "forget" about things to easily and doesn't understand when I tell her I just choose to put the past behind me so I don't have to carry so much baggage around all the time. Kind of like the adage about it using less muscles to smile versus frowning.
Ed, I am the same way, although I think a lot less conscious of it than you are. In a number of ways I just live in the present, because that is where I find myself (mostly).
Bitterness and regret, just like unforgiveness, can eat a person alive. It's not always easy to let go of things, but I believe it's always better to do so.
Amen! Forgiveness is like that. You are really giving up the right to retribution, and cutting the anchor to the past. Doesn't say anything about allowing it to continue happening. Just letting it go and moving on.
I'm in a place now where I am taking a "break" to break out of the cycle I've been in my whole life. Sometimes you carrying bricks from the past is getting in a cycle of behavior that is automatic. Stopping that can expose the cycle to you. Clarity usually results in the path out revealing itself. YMMV.
STxAR, it has taken me the better part of a year to get to the point where I can let the events of last year settle and get some perspective. It is hard work.
Comments are welcome (and necessary, for good conversation). If you could take the time to be kind and not practice profanity, it would be appreciated. Thanks for posting!
My wife often complains that I "forget" about things to easily and doesn't understand when I tell her I just choose to put the past behind me so I don't have to carry so much baggage around all the time. Kind of like the adage about it using less muscles to smile versus frowning.
ReplyDeleteEd, I am the same way, although I think a lot less conscious of it than you are. In a number of ways I just live in the present, because that is where I find myself (mostly).
DeleteBitterness and regret, just like unforgiveness, can eat a person alive. It's not always easy to let go of things, but I believe it's always better to do so.
ReplyDeleteIt is Kelly. I have seen it destroy people's lives. Sadly, we seem to be in the process of raising it to a national past time.
DeleteAmen! Forgiveness is like that. You are really giving up the right to retribution, and cutting the anchor to the past. Doesn't say anything about allowing it to continue happening. Just letting it go and moving on.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a place now where I am taking a "break" to break out of the cycle I've been in my whole life. Sometimes you carrying bricks from the past is getting in a cycle of behavior that is automatic. Stopping that can expose the cycle to you. Clarity usually results in the path out revealing itself. YMMV.
STxAR, it has taken me the better part of a year to get to the point where I can let the events of last year settle and get some perspective. It is hard work.
Delete