Is It Good Or Bad To Hold On To The Past?

NOW, this very moment, is what matters. Yesterday is history and tomorrow is uncertain. Anyhow, if we really think about it, tomorrow never comes for when tomorrow comes, it becomes today. If we take care of now, we won't even have to worry about the future. If we do what is right today, we won't have any future regrets. What am I saying, no future regrets? We all make mistakes and there is no doubt about that. But, if we strive to do the best that we can, that's really the best that we can do, considering that we're only human. I am not suggesting that we forget the past. We are what we are because of how we shaped our lives in the past. We don't have to dwell on the past and make ourselves miserable over past mistakes. We can learn from those mistakes. But it's okay to give ourselves a treat, reminiscing priceless memories, isn't it? Going through my journal, makes me ponder about mistakes and promise myself to avoid those mis-steps. While, reading about the happy events make me thank the Lord for those blessings and make me sing with joy. Don't ever get rid of your diaries. They can be useful to you in constructive ways, teach you lessons and cheer you up. Keep on doing the good things that you do. Good begets good, you know. Stay happy and well, Janey.

Hello, Janey. As you say, our past contributes to our present and also our future, so it's always there. There's nothing wrong in remembering, and if blogging your diaries helps you to draw a line under the past and elps others who read of your experiences and how you dealt with them, I'd say your past is playing a constructive part in your present. It's obvious your past hasn't made you bitter and twisted, and the bad relationship hasn't prevented you from having a good one, so you've learned lessons from your past and brought it comfortably into your present - at least, that's the impression I get from what I know of you. Personally, I think it's far more harmful to try and ignore or bury the past, because at some point it's going to float to the surface and cause problems for everyone around - a bit like Joe McIntyre's body in Coronation Street!

I think you should do both. You should hold on to your happy memories and cherish them, but don't live in the past. This is actually harder than it sounds. Also, I think you should let go of your anger and forgive the people who might have wronged you long ago.

I put stories from the present and the past into my blogs, mostly the funny ones, but not exclusively. One of these days the kids may show an interest in reading them. Actually I may print them all off and save them... Nothing wrong with remembering the past as long as you aren't living in it...

We can dwell in the past too much. I try really hard to think forwards. Most of my childhood was hard work but it has made me very adaptable and realistic I think now I am an adult. We cant change our past but we certainly can affect our futures.

It's not bad to hold on in the past as long as you don't make it your own world and encircling it with your everyday life. Holding on to it is just a way of moving forward and learning from what you have experienced. It's not bad to keep those blogs miss Janey! go go go!

I was always told never to live in the past but learning from the past. I try not to hold onto the past too much these days, it can only hold me back and make me depressed, especially when I get all introspective and wonder "what if". I have never kept a diary but I have my memories both good and bad, and that's enough for me to hold onto.

I think that it would be better if we just learn from the lessons of the past rather than holding on to it. keeping good memories is not a crime, it may infact serve as historical and memorable events of your entire life. There is always a lesson to learn from any experience, be it good or bad and I guess how we apply it is what really counts.

Hiya Janey.. I'd say hold on to your diaries and never let go of blogging. It's awesome to keep old diaries because those entries recorded stuffs which we might have jot down and they shape us into what we are today. Although I don't have any diaries..but I have another blog on lock.. and sometimes I come to read and reflect on the past. For a bit.. sometimes to move on and keep on pushing forward is boring, and we need to stick around to learn from mistakes and hoping that the future will always be bright. Awesome topic here..

I agree with you. The past was what it was and while it should certainly stay there that doesn't mean it should be forgotten. I think that recording your diaries is an excellent idea, even if just to preserve them. The paper copies won't last forever and having an electronic copy is a great idea, not just for you but for any relatives who may be interested in them in the future. I think as long as we don't pine for the past or try to bring it back then there's definitely no harm in revisiting it now and then. Like you said, it made us what we are today and it should definitely not be forgotten, denied or ignored.

Hi Janey, I think writing diary is a good habit. It is a record of good as well as bad in our lives. By revisiting the contents we realize that the "postive experiences" are certainly more, and we can dwell more on them, instead of focusing only on bad. Generally, it is bad from the past that remains in our mind. We completely forget that we had good moments, and the ratio of such good moments was considerably higher.

In a way, it is bad to keep on holding to the past because you can't move on. It would alsways remind you of the pain you've suffered and you don't trust people.

I believe the past holds the key to the future however what really matters is at present, not the future, and not even the past. But we all love sweet old memories, don't we?

Holding on to the past can be a good thing and a bad thing. You should always hold on to the good things and remember them... but you should also hold on to the bad because that is something you learned from life. If ou keep making the same mistakes... whats the point in trying again. Tinking of the bad can turn out to be a good thing. But you have to go by your own judgement on what is right to hold on to and what will only bring you down. "Life is a ballance of holding on, and letting go!"

the past is good as a reminder for us to learn our lessons and not making the same mistakes again... but it shouldn't tie and obstruct us from moving forward in our lives... we should never let our past to haunt us and ruin our lives... we have to move forward... for me, what is more important is the present and the future... take care and have a nice day...

Well, you carry on blogging if it helps you in any way…however, personally I don’t like dwelling on the past. I look at it this way…most of my past looks futile now, I’ve achieved hardly anything as per my potential and when I see others in similar situations as so smart and knowledgeable and putting their time to better use for their careers, I feel I’ve let myself down completely…and once that feeling settles in, I can hardly get anything done in the present…I become depressed and that is something I just cant afford to become. Secondly, there were golden phases too in my past and remembering them yet again, makes me depressed…like missing those good old days, missing those wonderful times which I know will never come back…so all in all the past makes me depressed so I keep it at a safe distance from me. What I do however, is remember the mistakes I had made and constantly try and reinvent myself accordingly. Each moment is like a new learning experience though I must say that we never completely learn as long as we live

Hi Janey. I was in a horrible relationship (marriage) for thirteen years, and I find writing about it helps me sort out just what it was that got me, and kept me, in that mess to begin with, and helps me to insure I'll never let it happen again. I think without a good understanding of the past, it is difficult not to repeat the same mistakes in the future. And as for the good things, why not blog about them? It helps to relive tender moments and wonderful times in your life. I say carry on blogging if it makes you happy! I don't have the consistancy needed for a blog. I start one, and then forget about it. I do write though, and I write about many things. My past...my present...my hopes and dreams for the future...my fears and doubts. Writing or blogging about them isn't the same as obsessing about them, and I think as long as you are able to maintain balance and healthy relationships in the present, there's nothing wrong with revisiting the past.

Hi there friend.. Actually we can really say if it's good or bad if we base our answer on its effect on us. What had happen in past? Does it motivates you to be strong or doest it makes you feel bad upto the present? If the past motivates you to be strong then it is good to hold on the past and make it as an inspiration. If the past makes you sad then forget the past and start a new life. We can't change the past but we can have a good future if we fight a good fight for our future.

I agree with you Janey1966 its not good to think about your past all the time it might hinder your activities and goals in your future because of not able to move on from the past experiences, but that is not always the case, you can learn so many things from your past experiences good or bad you can figure out your mistakes, failures and weaknesses and make them your strengths for your future. Like me I have worst experiences during my past years that I'm so ashamed of, what I did I try to find out my weaknesses and change those weaknesses into strength that I'm still carrying today. Its OK for you not to let go of your past, I know everybody's past are there treasures in life good or bad it always give us happiness later in life, so don't leave your diary your diary represents you and what you are now today a happy woman living her life. ^ ^

Hello Janey! Well, it depends on how are you holding on to your past... You have a diary that is not that bad and you even posted it in the web where everyone can read it! You've got the courage, patience and dedication that I wish I could do that! Don't hold on to the past because you can't move on today or the future...