Did You Know That You Can Rewrite Your Past?
A different perspective of your past may be all you need
If you ask someone the question, “What are you?” Examples of answers you will get are as follows:
“Am an accountant.”
“Am a teacher who lives in New York.”
“Am an actor and I have been doing it for 15years.”
“Am a lawyer and I have four children.”
“Am a Footballer who plays in the English Premier League.”
“Am a reporter who works for CNN.”
“Am a father of two who also takes care of two orphaned children.”
“Am a medical student whose parents are from France.”
All these answers are pointing to what each individual did in the past. The truth is that we are defined by our past.
A person is said to be an accountant today because he has studied accountancy in the past. A woman is said to have 4 children because she gave birth to four children in her past. A person who says he is an actor with 15years experience because has appeared in movies for the past fifteen years.
The point here is our past dictates who we are. In other words, we are our past. In trying to describe who we are we constantly and unknowingly dwell in the past. Yet many still insist that the past doesn’t matter.
Most people try by all means not to dwell on the past. Dwelling on the past is seen as a weakness. Tina Gilbertson a psychologist writes “Dwelling on the past is something many Americans don’t like to do; we’re eager to wipe the slate clean and start fresh on a path toward a tomorrow we hope will be brighter than yesterday.”
“Imagine if you broke a bone and then, not wanting to dwell on the injury, went out and played rugby the next day. How well do you think that would go for you and your broken bone?” — Tina Gilbertson
The past must be acknowledged. We must be in constant reference to it. We ought to refer to our past because it cements our growth. If we try to delete our personal history from our minds. By insisting on focusing at all times on the present and/or the future. It limits our growth and we continue to be children even as we go into adulthood. What distinguishes adults from children is their past experiences. Adults have gained this experience over the years.
How your past determines your future.
After graduating from college, I was determined and eager to get a job. I thought getting a job would brighten my future. I moved from company to company. All the companies wanted me to write and present to them a resume. A resume is a document that has details of your past qualifications and past job experience. It is sometimes referred to as a Curriculum Vitae(CV).
To write a resume I had to dig deep into my past. I saw first hand that to get as future you desire. The past is very much the decider. My memory was called into action. I had to remember every school I attended including the exact years. I had to put every detail of my past that I thought could win me the job.
We use our ability to create a picture of the future to help us make plans. This ability is a product is our past experiences. Our beliefs about what might happen in the future help us to plan for obstacles that will confront us.
Past experiences also prepare us for unexpected failure. Preparing for the possibility of failure enhances planning. Those people who prepare for failure are the ones best equipped to handle problems when they come up.
“By setting your predictions for the future in a familiar landscape, you allow yourself to use your memories of the past to help you predict what might go wrong in the future.” — Art Markman PhD
Past experiences also help prevent you from thinking in an abstract way. Abstract thinking makes you less likely to find specific problems that may arise. This is because the future has many ways of surprising us. Nobody can be completely prepared for what the future will bring. That is why it is important to recognize that the only way you can plan for the future is by drawing on your memories of the past. Envisioning your future in a specific location gives you the best chance of helping yourself succeed.
You can change your past
Many people view the past as something unchangeable. This belief has made many people stagnant in their lives. Having this belief limits your potential and prevents you from achieving greater heights. This belief is simply incorrect.
People who view the past as unchangeable like using statements like:
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “I’m Obese”
- “Am never liked by my bosses.”
- “I never have enough money.”
- “I don't get good jobs.”
- “I have always failed in my business.”
- “I can't find true love.”
- “I’m Illiterate.”
The truth is that the past can be rewritten. Every second you are rewriting your past. For example, if you say today that, “I am without a master’s degree.” This statement is true because in your current past you have never studied for a master’s degree. But if spend the next two years studying for a master's degree and you go on to complete it. The statement “I am without a master’s degree” will no longer be correct. This is because your past will have now changed.
“When you change the meaning and narrative of your past, you simultaneously change the narrative of your present and future. And vice versa. Changing the narrative of your present and future simultaneously alters the meaning or narrative of your past.” — Benjamin Hardy Ph.D
Viewing the past like this is very effective for goal setting. It acts as a springboard to lift you to success. Most people don’t like goals because it’s emotionally difficult to deal with past failures. All past failures must be viewed as stepping stones to success. It also turns out that succeeding or reaching your goals is a journey with obstacles.
The Takeaway
The past defines us at the present. Everything you are today is because of your past. Your past determines your future. The past however can be changed. This is because every second you are actually recreating your past. Having this understanding of the past empowers you. It gives you the ability to recreate any situation you are in.
