We often have mental images — thoughts — that just run amok. We are happy, sad, frustrated, and anxious, almost as quickly as I write. It soon becomes self-evident that I must control this mind, this collection of images. We are always somewhat puzzled by beings who cannot control some memory of the past. It is as if they are on some interminable loop of pain. They endlessly convey the past to the present.
One asks why someone would do this. The answers range from mental sloth and playing the victim to a lack of conviction or self-reflection. There are cases, of course, of real mental illness. That is a condition that must be dealt with medically. The vast majority of us, however, are not mentally ill. (1) We lack the discipline to put life’s events in their proper context.
Things happen to every human being. This journey is fraught with much suffering and agony — as well as periods of elation and joy. Because we all extensively muse as we age, it behooves us to learn to control this toxic pain of the years gone by and not labor to not bring it forward to the present.
These abstractions sit in the camp of regrets– erstwhile events brought forward and re-energized with a new level of pain and suffering. Much like we romanticize pleasant events, we also embellish tragic experiences. We make them even more pernicious and scathing than they are.
What should I do to cleanse and prepare my path forward? Firstly, I must realize that every life is a gift. That includes my life. It is also true that every day is pure. I can make it a positive or, conversely, a negative day. I must further acknowledge that life is filled with adversity, but not always. I can then make the conscious choice of joy over pain.
The point is to develop into the person that you visualize, not wallow in the failures of the past. Then all memories can be put in their proper context. The actor James Ellis (2) leaves us with a thought: If the past calls up no regrets, our lives will be happy in the present, and our hopes bright in the future. We mourn too much over the past and let the present fly from us.
A closing thought: We need a filtration system for our memories. They need to be sanitized and placed in their proper context. There is thus no remorse only lessons.
To sum up: This week we spoke about memories and making them helpful for the present.
To be noted: From Orestes Augustus Brownson (3) — He who has no future, has no life; he exists but does not live.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKppz4JxBM8&ab_channel=VisualMelodies
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFRpUh1tiS8&ab_channel=DailyDoseOfWisdom
This week on your reflective stroll, please ask how to control your negative thoughts.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Put the past in context, live in the present, and plan for the future.
Footnotes:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW_zpi2hmI4&ab_channel=JordanPetersonFanChannel