Your Past, Present & Future

Your Past, Present & Future

I was and never a student of Chinese culture and philosophies BUT I admit this poster from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu says it all as to how we deal with the Past, Present & Future.  YES, I do wonder HOW time affects our relationships to our very own selves, in growing forward, in looking backward, even in predictions and trajectories, in haunting doubts, and in the present mind spaces.  As each of us do hold so many complexities, possibilities and memories within us, this may be a really interesting [and relevant] perspective to wrap into our own, embedding it within us.  YES it's damn true, the PAST tends to hold us back, haunting us, and kind of hostaging us, till we realize we remain shackled till today???

So, HOW can we absolve our faults OR paths that led us to places we now wish to have avoided?  HOW can we now model to our PAST self that love, that mentorship and softness that we need?  Studies show that practicing tenderness to a PAST self can take many forms WHETHER it's writing letters to your past self, OR creating prayers OR wishes directed to your past self OR starting a diary addressing the past.  BUT the thing, let's forget if we're contemplating to reverse the time capsule🙏🙏🙏

WHEREAS in the present, we may be often critical and so demanding of our energy and our lives.  Think about HOW we talk and about ourself, BOTH our loud and even in your head.  Consider HOW we might change the way we address our own self in order to offer sweetness, encouragement OR even empowerment.  Let's think about our capacity to offer these things in other contexts, i.e. perhaps we offer to our peers, friends, family.  Let's compare the way we talk to and about them with the way we talk to OR about our own self.  HOW can we show that tenderness to our present self in a way that makes a room for forgiveness, flexibility and empowerment💥💥💥

MAYBE its all about starting a collection of loving reminders to our own self, OR maybe it's just softly challenging that critical voice in our head from time to time.  WHICH leads me to find some springboards for thought on HOW we can incorporate self love in the present.  Probably like writing a list of affirmations that resonate with us?  OR giving our own self time to rest, HOWEVER we need to do it.  WHETHER it is a short break during the day, an evening to yourself with NO expectations, OR a whole day off for relaxing and have that 'me-time' make time to center yourself in your own universe❗❗❗

Our takeaway:  If there is a variable that can easily throw a monkey wrench in our life, it's that FUTURE ahead, down the road.  In those FUTUREs, it is often tempting to put our ambitions, expectations and even worries in the folds along milestones like age OR anniversaries.  Think about HOW you set goals and deadlines for yourself and consider HOW those expectations you have for your FUTURE can lead you to those unnecessary anxieties.  WHY can't we step back and be IN THE MOMENT, dude???