Can you change the past?

This is not a post about physics or time travel. However, the short answer to the question, can you change the past is yes, albeit a tentative yes, but still a yes. Now I know that sounds like a bold statement but hang in there and hopefully I can show you what I mean. As the year comes to a close it is often a time when we reflect on the year that has been. I hope 2018 has been a wonderful year for you and your loved ones. It is likely however there are things that happened that are not pleasant memories.

The key word in that last sentence is “memories”. The past is just a thought about something that has happened. We can’t go back to the past, there is no physical place called the past, it is just a thought. Thoughts are what create our world. Look around at any man-made object in this world and realise that it started with a thought. Thoughts are creative, they create objects, they create emotions which in turn create actions. All of life is lived between the ears. What if you were to reframe the thoughts of the past that were not so pleasant by looking for the positive and then as best you can let go completely of those thoughts from the past where you can’t find a positive.

Obviously, some major life events, such as the passing of a loved one or a major relationship breakup are not something that can be forgotten. This is not about denying sad feelings or telling people to just get over something. Grief and loss are very real and need to be worked through and processed in your own time, nobody else’s. But what about all those other life experiences. How we choose to remember them can not only have a huge influence of the way we feel now but can essentially change the past. After all the past is just a memory, just a series of thoughts. Try choosing thoughts about the past that are peaceful, pleasant and empowering. Maybe like many people your childhood wasn’t ideal, but I bet there were many good times. Why not focus solely on the good times and see how that feels. Looking back over 2018 think about all the good times even if they seem small and insignificant and maybe just maybe, it can change your past.  

Wishing you all the best in your journey

Phil Miranda       

The Untrue Story of You: How to Let Go of the Past that Creates You, and Become Fully Alive in the Present

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