“You can’t undo history but you can make it.” Isn’t that a great line? This comment was uttered in a program I was listening to, and it captured my thinking. Maybe not particularly original, but it still is a good thought. It should also cause us to stop and consider where our emphasis is – then or now. History is an ‘is’ – one can’t deny it or even argue it. But… what actually do we do with and about our history – good and bad? How do we let it teach us? It’s not necessary to continually reinvent the wheel, sooo…? Simultaneously, we can’t live in yesterday. And ‘History’ is really defined as – yesterday.
Do you allow your history to ‘teach’ you? Or is it only a memory – sometimes pleasant, sometimes not so much. Do you know what is happening in your world that triggers a consideration of history? When you look at your now, does any of it seem familiar? Is what’s happening something entirely new or something in which you can use your previous experience? This last question should not be viewed as an in cement situation because I doubt that everything is entirely same. But, can you use what you previously learned or is it necessary to approach resolution or action from an entirely different perspective?
It is so easy to get caught in a – I’ve been here before so I know precisely what do do (and not do) to move on. When you approach any situation, especially vaguely familiar ones, with a, ‘I’ve got the answer’ then you don’t allow this situation to teach, to allow you to create a new way of responding. And yes, as I’ve said… it’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel. But you can also begin to learn new ways of responding and interacting. New may be familiar but it is never the same.
History can bind us to its past or it can be a pillar that can be a support as we reach into the unknown to effectively respond. Let History have its place – never discard it or the learning you gained. Simultaneously, never let it control the now because ‘then’ is not now. Now has some terrific lessons to teach us and eventually will become History. Question… what do you want to do with and about your History? It is you… then. Life’s learning lab affords us multiple opportunities to grow and if you don’t learn the lesson now, trust me – more chances to act on this will occur. ‘Then’ forms your foundation to Be and Do now but now will eventually become your then.
