Life is a beautiful artwork. But sometimes, past experiences make everything seem gray even when you try to add vibrant colors. Memories or worries that keep bouncing around in your minds are hard as you try to break free. In the wise words of Aid al-Qarni from “Don’t Be Sad,” a beautiful expression exposes: “Episodes of the past are finished with; sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot make things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life.”
You’re the artist making great artwork. You can focus on adding colors to today’s blank canvas, where the past picture doesn’t really matter. You can decide how your life is right now and what it will be in the future. As you live your life, remember what Aid al-Qarni says: the past is over, and your journey to joy happens now.
Ways of letting go of the past:
The past is gone forever. You cannot bring back special moments or rewrite history, no matter how much you wish to. Focusing on past hurts and regrets steals your present joy. As the original text states, “Do you think that you can return the sun to its place of rising, the baby to its mother’s womb, milk to the udder? or tears to the eye?” By constantly revisiting the unchangeable past, you just trap your minds in distress.
Letting go is a transformative process and that works differently for everyone. It’s important to learn how to let go of the past and forgive yourself. By embracing the present moment, you can create new and positive memories that will help you to grow and take pleasure in the present. Here are some tips that can help you letting go of the past,
- Acceptance: Understand and make peace with what happened. Ignoring or denying things makes the sadness last longer. Instead, accept it with an open mind and mature attitude.
- Forgiveness: Release grudges towards yourself and others. Holding onto blame and bitterness doesn’t help you in any way. It steals your chance for personal growth.
- Gain Lessons: Learn from your past. Think about what happened and what you can learn from it. Instead of seeing it as a punishment, use it as a tool to become wiser.
- Affirm the Positive: Tell yourself positive things to change how you think. Instead of feeling like a victim, believe you have the potential to make a good future.
- Self-Compassion: Understand that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s fine. Be nice to yourself like you would to a friend going through a tough time.
Letting go isn’t about erasing the past but freeing yourself from its hold. It’s about stepping into each new day without being held back by what once was. Open up yourself to new possibilities and opportunities. Learn to cherish every single moment of your life. Become a better version of yourself.
Overcoming worries and regrets:
Have you ever laid in bed at night, unable to sleep? Your mind won’t let go of that unpleasant moment. It’s like a movie playing over and over in your head. And other times, you can’t enjoy the present moment and worry about what might happen in the future. To overcome this, you need to make a conscious effort to focus on the present. Talk about your worries with your friend or write down your thoughts.
When you think about the tough times faced in the past, the Quran says, “That was a nation which has passed on” (Qur’an 2:134). It means that the difficulties that were experienced are now in the past. This helps you see that tough times don’t last forever, and that you can get through your own challenges too.
So how can you set yourself free? Breaking free from the past can pave the way for a new chapter of learning and joy. Meet today with optimism, flexibility, and trust. Train your mind toward gratitude for this very moment, which always holds possibility.
The significance of today:
Today is a special gift that you’ve got right now. But the thing is, you often forget this. Your minds keep going back to what happened before or rushing forward to what might happen next. In the middle of all that, you fail to notice the amazing things happening in the present moment.
In your daily life, strive for balance in all aspects. Be content with what you have: your food, family, work, home, and your position in life. Take care of yourself and pay attention to your well-being. Plan your day wisely and make the most out of every minute. Find happiness and peace in living today. And remember the advice, “So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful” (Qur’an 7:144).
You can mold through love, understanding, and the next small step forward. These actions are the seeds that can only grow when planted firmly here in the fertile soil of the present. When you decide to live each moment with a purpose, you start feeling thankful. This gratitude and clarity then guide you to take the next steps forward.
Final thoughts:
The paintbrush is in your hands. Will you keep looking at dark drawings from before? Or will you create vibrant ideas by filling your special canvas with light? It’s up to you to decide what beautiful picture comes next.
In the journey of breaking free from the past, remember that the past is gone forever, and today is all that you have. You have been given this present moment as a gift. So make the most of it with optimism and gratitude. Spend time with loved ones, care for yourself, and find purpose in life. Meet today with trust, flexibility, and understanding.
With inner peace and balance, you can break free from what holds you back. Keep moving forward with courage and compassion. Discover the joy and opportunity this moment offers when you give it your full attention.
