In Retrospect

I wish I could turn the clock back, I wish I could make it alright, I could have done so much better, I cannot believe how naive I was ,are some of the many thoughts that have atleast once triggered our mind.

While our intellect has made peace asserting " What's done cannot be undone" it is our mind where all the chaos lies. Have you ever wondered why a memory from the past causes you unrest in the present? Why is it's impact so unsettling? Is it because a part of us has still not accepted what happened? Is it because instead of putting a full stop we cluttered our mind with whats and whys?

Whatever reason may it be the question of the hour is ,Is it even worth anything? Is it completely meaningless to be mulling over past issues? One might emphasize that crying over spilt milk would do no good. But have you ever tried to look at the other side of the coin? While as strongly I believe that complaining about things we have no control over is nothing but an act of immaturity, I as well emphasize that looking at the same in retrospect from a different perspective exposes your flaws.

We have encountered all kinds of situations in our life from sad and depressing to difficult and embarrassed ones. They all leave a mark on us. But it's we who have scarred our mind by constantly picturing them on loop. When we recall any unpleasant memory we relive it with the same amount of negativity that we once experienced , which is why we're always advised to let go of the past. But what does this let go mean? And why isn't it as simple as it sounds?

We have evolved as individuals both intellectually and emotionally. We have all come a far way from where we were. Yet we have failed to understand the essence of looking at things in retrospect. When you're asked to let go, you're supposed to let go of the animosity that surrounds you. You cannot erase what happened in the past nor can you suppress the uncomfortable feeling taking over you.

You can only minimize the negativity that it carries, catering a way to acceptance.

No it's not completely meaningless to think about incidents of past as long as have overcome the negativity associated with it. It's infact a healthy habit as it gives you the power to think like a detached observer. You see things from a different perspective. You accept your flaws and the fact that you're not infallible.

Sit back with yourself and think about events of the past,no matter how sad or disappointing they might have been just make sure that you don't do it in the same state of mind as you had in that particular situation. Be at ease before you fgure out how else you could have responded and what better you could have done.

Only then it's dawned on us that we don't have to struggle to forget the unpleasantness of the situation nor do we need to lament over unfinished deeds. All we need is a new outlook.