Do you find yourself constantly harking back to the past?

I have done the same, especially when I’m trying to escape from pressing problems.

Going back in time and using your 20/20 hindsight to prevent mistakes and tragedies from happening – isn’t that a superpower worth having?

“If I had known this was going to happen, I would have…”

“If I could go back in time, I would…”

“If I only knew then what I know now…”

Being besotted with the past is a common and very human response to crisis and overwhelm.

The danger is in overstaying our visit.

When all our energies are constantly being deflected away from our goals and vision towards past mistakes, regrets, and failures, or worse, those enticing “what might have been”s, it is impossible to get things done.

To break out of this pattern, we need to realize that there is really only one thing within our control: The Present.

We can choose what we do with it: nurture it, make the most of it, be in awe of it.

Or we can do nothing, refuse to acknowledge its urgency and potency, and let it become … The Past.

The terrifying truth is that once this moment passes, it is lost to us forever.

We cannot rewind the clock and redo life.

The next time you are tempted to take a walk down memory lane as a distraction from your present challenges, say to yourself –

“That Was Then, This Is Now.”

Consciously bring your mind back to the present, and put all your energies into solving The Present problem before you, so that you can create The Future you want.