Most of us can remember the scene in The Lion King where Mufasa hits Simba on the head with his stick. When Simba asks why he hit him, Rafiki answers 'It doesn't matter it's in the past'. When Simba complains that it still hurts, Rafiki explains that the past can hurt but that we must all move on regardless.
While that may have just been a children's cartoon, it holds a very important lesson for us all. We may all be hurt by things in the past, but the key is to learn from past mistakes and let it go. Simba proves this, because when Rafiki swipes at him again he ducks, thereby dodging the blow. Proving the point of the wise baboon.
Here are 5 reasons you should let go of past pain:
It weighs you down in the present
Constantly thinking about past failures or mistakes weighs us down in the present. It takes our minds off more productive and worthwhile tasks and slows our ability to change things for the better. Acknowledging the past hurt is not the same as letting it encompass our very being. Luckily we can all start removing negative thoughts by forcing them out of our mind whenever they arise.
What's the actual point of constantly treading over old ground?
While it is important to learn from mistakes, what is the actual point of going over old ground? Thinking the same thoughts over and over again in a never ending cycle that brings no conclusions and just opens old wounds is pointless. Therefore, you should acknowledge that these thought processes will get you nowhere and simply direct your thoughts elsewhere.
It stops you treating others fairly
If someone has betrayed us or hurt us in the past, it likely means that we are wary of trusting others in the future. But in doing so, we are punishing them for crimes they have not committed, which is entirely unfair. No one should be naïve, but having a negative view of all others is not the correct way to live a proper life.
Letting go of pain shows that you have defeated it
If we constantly acknowledge and relive past pain, it is victorious over us. If we let go of it, it means that we have defeated it. No longer can it hurt us, and we can admire our inner strength.
The future is more important
The past is the past and we can not change it. It may seem obvious, but we can change the future. Holding on to these thoughts of the past will only hold us back.
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