Forgive The Past

Understand and Accept the Past

MY JOURNEY

12/9/20232 min read

a man standing in front of the sun with his arms outstretched
a man standing in front of the sun with his arms outstretched

A sudden realization compelled me to kneel and surrender.

Throughout my upbringing, I grappled with myriad emotions and moments that I struggled to navigate. These feelings remained confined within, scattered and unstable in the landscape of my existence. At times, I found myself engulfed in anger and resentment, a consequence of my inadequate skills and the inability to process these moments in a rational manner that would bring liberation.

In the past, waves of resentment toward those I interacted with washed over me. Memories would spontaneously resurface, replaying events in my mind. Frustration and anger welled up within me as I lamented my inability to resolve these situations or articulate the words I wished I had spoken. Yet, no matter how often I attempted to rationalize, the outcomes remained unchanged, leaving the core issue unresolved.

It felt as if the path I walked had cracks, allowing emotions to seep through and disrupt the essence of my being. Only recently did I grasp how to process and liberate these emotions.

Consider this analogy: picture starting at the gym, lifting a mere 10 kgs. Over time, through dedication and effort, one becomes capable of lifting 100 kgs. Upon reflection, the past seems feeble—lifting a mere 10 kgs appears pathetic. The comparison between past and present knowledge, skills, and abilities becomes obsolete.

Similarly, when evaluating our past actions or how others treated us, it's essential to recognize that everyone operated based on their best understanding and abilities at the time. We all grow, learn, and make mistakes. Forgiveness entails acknowledging the past for what it was, understanding the limitations in skills and abilities that shaped the conclusions drawn.

To assess personal growth and character, consider how a past situation would be handled differently today. How could it be transformed into something desirable rather than undesirable? Reflect on the aspects within our control and envision a different course of action.

In essence, embrace acceptance and forgiveness for everything in the past. The limitations in skills and abilities at that time meant it could not have unfolded any differently. It is only with the present knowledge and wisdom, gained from reflecting on the past, that we can elevate our perspective and chart a course for a different, more enlightened future.

With love, T.