Doesn't matter - it's in the past

I have become a full-fledged member of the "Facebook" generation. Not only have I joined, but I have found many friends that I had lost touch with over the years.

It is funny how many people from your past you forget, but they don't forget you — or vice versa. The "reunions" online bring back memories of the "good old days."

The human mind has the unique ability to only remember the "good times." Somehow we get sucked back to the days of high school, without the pain and drama of the actual events during those years.

We forget the pain we felt, or perhaps even inflicted, during our "less mature" years in life. Everyone is older, supposedly wiser, and have moved on from those bygone days.

Earlier this month, I turned 40. As I passed the milestone, I reflected on the first half of my life. I have certainly had my share of ups and downs — and I certainly have not "arrived" yet.

It is a wonder any of us survive the stupid mistakes we make throughout life. But we do and seem to grow from them. We learn that putting others ahead of ourselves is a sign of maturity. We also learn there are consequences to actions.

The one thing we cannot do is live in the past. This is hard for those who feel like they missed key opportunities in those early years. Some still hang out with high school buddies, do pretty much the same thing they did then. Other seeks out those supposedly "lost opportunities" in some quest to right the situation.

For me, I have learned that remembering the past is not a bad thing, but living there can hinder your growth. There is a reason we are not built with rearview mirrors.

I have made my share of apologies for past actions to friends from "days gone by." And have learned that I held on to it tighter than they did in many cases. I have also learned that my life is so much better than I could have imagined and in most ways, so much better than I deserve.

In the movie, "The Lion King" (yes, I watched it) Simba is lamenting about what he did in the past and how he can never go back to the pride he ran away from. At that point, the old, wise monkey smacks him in the head with a stick.

"Ouch! Why did you do that?" Simba asked.
"Doesn't matter. It's in the past," The monkey said.
"Well it still hurts."
"Yes, the past can hurt."

I think we all can take a lesson from this exchange. No matter how much we want to stay in the past, it is just that — the past.

Take what you like from today's blog. Use what part of it helps in your life. If none of it applies to you, then put it in the past where it belongs.

May the Blog be with You.