Leaving the past behind : a reflection

We are who we are today because of our past.


We cannot separate ourselves from our past. We cannot deny that we have a past. Even if we try to deny or lie about the most sordid aspects of our past, still, it has a unique way of rearing it’s ugly head.

Let’s accept it. The past is the past.

But how are we to deal with our past? Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng leave the past behind?

First, we should treasure the learning experiences.


Throughout our history, marami tayong mga nagawa at naranasan. Mabuti man o pangit. Masaya man o masaklap. Kapuri puri man o kahiya hiya. The fact is, we can treat them all as learning experiences. Itabi natin sa ating puso ang mga mahahalagang aral na itinuro sa atin ng kasaysayan. Tiyak, they will come in handy in the future.

Second, forvige anyone who has hurt you in the past.

Dahil ang buhay dynamic, puwede tayo magkasakitan ng damdamin. Puwedeng ako ang nasaktan. At puwede din na ako ang nanakit. Turuan natin ang ating mga sarili na magpatawad. Kung sa ating nakaraan, me tinik ng kahapon, bunutin na natin sila. Kung sa ating nakaraan, me nagpatigas ng ating puso, e, palambutin na natin. Life is too short to be unforgiving. Tingnan din natin kung tayo ang nakasakit. Pag ganun, e, tayoy magpakumbaba. Tayo na ang magsorry.

Third, let go of difficult attachments.


Minsan kasi, meroon sa ating nakaraan, na, napakahirap bitiwan. They can be positive experiences, as well as negative experiences. Tulad ng achievements in the past, what you were before, how others in the past treated you. Tigilan na natin ang paghahanap sa mga kasiyahang matagal ng wala. Thank God for them. And if you so really desire to experience the joy of certain past achievements, then carry on with your life. Furthermore, to let go means to set ourselves free from the people, from the pain, from the hurts that the past has given us. Posibleng we need to let go of someone we love na wala na sa ating piling. Tulad ng kung ikaw ay namatayan, iniwanan, pinagtaksilan. It’s hard, i know. But try your best still to let go and let God.

Finally, move forward.


Life doesn’t end with the past. Turn your hurts into halos. Your stumbling blocks, into stepping stones. Think of your trials and testings as challenges. Be positive. Be hopeful. Have faith. LIfe goes on. When something closes, another door opens. Pag me nagsasara, me magbubukas. We should always strive to move on with our lives no matter what. Habang nabubuhay, mag enjoy. Parang graduation yan ng High School. Malungkot kasi maghihiwalay. Natapos na ang magagandang experiences with friends. You are leaving a school that has been your home for many years. However, we all know, we can’t be in high school forever. Ganon din sa kanya kanya nating kinalalagyan sa buhay. We can’t be stuck where we are.

Let us leave the past behind, believing in our hearts, that as God is with us, not only can we hurdle the difficulties, but more importantly, we will RISE UP to soar to greater heights that life has to offer.