'For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history myself.'
-Winston Churchill
What has been the greatest of achievements you've had in your life so far?
Many people have done great things...
Others think or feel they have done great things...
What matters is not how big or small, rather than it was a glorious moment. Sometimes we feel everyone needs to know about it that moment.
Why?
It is because we unconsciously believe that is THE ONE greatest moment. Perhaps we do unconsciously feel no other moment like this will come. And hardly another will come, for in our accepting our 'maximum' we don't strive to achieve it.
Maybe it is because in our self-depreciation we revel in the recognition from others. In any case we are as foolish, senile storytellers of old, telling all around us about what happened so long ago nobody really cares to listen.
We need to be proud of our achievements, of course. However, when those accomplishmentst tower over the way we perceive ourselves it is almost impossible to escape their shadow. We are then engulfed, kept from achieving anything greater by our own effort.
The past is passed, the past is history. It's good to know it and enjoy it, but it shouldn't rule us.
Let your glorious past be a guide to things you want to do, and do even greater things. Do not let it determine that that's your moment, and all that's left is to be forgotten...
Lesson learned: I will not be seduced by the ephemeral hands of past glories, lest I become a statue in Medusa's lair.
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2 comments:
I think that's a good balanced way to look at it. While the ego can definitely misshape our perspective, it has some value when it reminds us of our past accomplishments. That awareness, after all, helps to provide confidence for when we tackle new challenges.
But we can be tempted to run off the fumes of our former glories. That can make our intellectual and emotional growth become stagnant and stale. Better to ask ourselves the question: What am I doing or what will I soon do that moves me forward?
People tent to reminsce and say, "those were the Good Old day." But we cannot turn back time, instead, now, the presence is the Good Old Days, so let us rejoice and enjoy every minute, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
Igi
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