Whenever I have heard people use the phrase “the good old days” it has been done with a glint in the eye and a feeling of nostalgia. We all love the past only for the good times but often never consider what about those days were good or what made them good or how they came to be good.

Life is a series of good days and not so good days. By the time today ends everything that happens in it will be memories. You will agree with me that life is a series of yesterdays.

It is true that it is not possible to drive forward while your eyes are fixed on the rearview mirror of your vehicle. You cannot however be a good driver with using your rearview mirror momentarily and frequently on your journey. Similarly in life our past which contains a string of memories cannot be ignored.

Memories are good if you use them well. Memories become a set of tools you can use to navigate life. Memories inspire; when you look back at past victories, past positive outcomes and even past failures, there are many nuggets you can apply going forward. Victories can be repeated and likewise failures but when your examination of the past is to look for ways to avoid making the same decisions that caused the failure, you put yourself in a better position to move forward with a positive impact.

We all have a choice to make every day where our memories are concerned. You can choose to let your memories numb you with fear and fill you with regret. But in life you win some and learn some. Your past setbacks are but lessons and it is your choice how you view them. When your past pain serves you well, then you would have gone through the process of distilling the wisdom from it. Go for wisdom any day.

Looking into the memories of the past is important for today. By taking a moment to recall how you made someone feel through an action or inaction in the past will benefit the present. Your actions are therefore guarded and guided to ensure that the present is managed properly and to good effect.

Imagine the impact of past memories on the future through the guidance of the present. Our past memories are a treasure trove which well mined will help us write our futures better. Perspective becomes a valuable to creating the right context to do better. 

Your future will in time become the past and if you could be mindful about deliberately cultivating a wonderful past, your actions today will be calculated, with a clear view to making an impact that leaves you with a rich reserve to draw from in the future whenever you choose to look back.

The past is your gold mine, go in there and pick up the treasure. Just don’t get trapped in there and don’t dwell there forever. No one I know lives in a mine.

As you interact with your family, customers, colleagues, superiors or subordinates, remember that today will soon be in the past and you have every opportunity to create a beautiful past.

I am Nhyira Addo and I live in the present but take regular trips to the past to ensure my future is secured.

Go Forward, Make Rain

Shalom!