The past in a rear-view mirror



“Let go of the past”, “forget the past” and “don’t listen to your past, it has nothing new to say” these are a few things you must have heard in advices or read in quotes. The past is an essential part of life, if analyzed correctly and at the right time, it can enhance the individual personality as one can work for the future while living in the present moment.

But then you see rear-view mirrors in all the vehicles. When you are driving a car you look ahead as you progress forward. But when you are about to slow down or take a turn you also look at the rear-view mirror. Then, there at that particular moment you see the past. Past in terms of road, people and vehicles you have surpassed to arrive at this particular place. Your past in the rear-view mirror cautions you, warns you of the incoming traffic from behind. You decide the trajectory of your motion as per path that lies ahead but you also take the past into consideration, consideration to take a turn or not, consideration to halt your vehicle or not.

Similarly, in my perspective one should never let go off of its past. Rather one should embrace the moments gone by. Times no matter how hard, tough or difficult should always be remembered. Only by remembrance can one be grounded to reality. Reality that how far one has progressed, how much competition has one defeated and which things can serve as a potential challenge in the times to come. But one should never be stuck in the past only (Can’t Think beyond Past). Yes, your past can provide valuable information for current and future scenarios but a persistent obsession with the past can hamper one’s growth. For when one is at the eye of the storm of the cyclone named past and is moving with it, one will never experience any change, for that person will see the wind flowing fast but will never experience the turbulent times.  Turbulent times which can make one stronger not only emotionally but physically as well. 

So, keep your eyes on the windshield but also keep a check on the rear-view mirrors. Keep your focus on the present road but never forget the road crossed by. For my mind is full of thoughts and all of them are derived from the past events.




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