A silent partner.

We have all heard about "letting go of the past" as a way to live a better future, but what does this actually mean and how do you make sure your past doesn't arrive in your future?

First of all, we don't want to disregard ALL of the past, just the parts that don't fit comfortably in our daily lives. We want to pick and choose who comes into our future and who stays away…well, some will not say it is about who, but what.

What or who is acceptable to bring forward and what or who gets left behind?

Is it even possible to be a nit picker and just take the rainbows and smiles?

What happens to the stuff we leave behind and how can we insure our lives so the 'unkind' reality doesn't arrive again and again?  What efforts are taken to make sure your future isn't littered with your past?

What is the best insurance against having our negative arrive in our future?

Too bad there isn't an insurance company for this…

How will thinking positive about negative behaviors and family members who behave poorly insure a change in your future?  Is it possible to think away the negative…like the saying "pray away the Gay".

Is it really just a mind game?

Can I eliminate the negative thoughts and a person will now appear kinder, wiser and less hurtful?

What I feel is the only insurance for a better future is to let the past go by letting go of relationships that hurt.

Letting go of being involved with people who do hurtful things.

Letting the past leave my life…so I don't repeat the same pattern tomorrow.

There is a vast difference between thinking positive or acting positive; between accepting negative behaviors by not focusing on them, compared to literally not allowing negative behaviors.

One is a mind game the other an action step. What will actually result in a future that is more positive?

It is interesting to me how many feel that by talking only positive, it will change their future. Talk is cheap and it will not make a bit of difference.  It isn't enough.  Words are meaningless on getting rid of abuse.  It is the past of least resistance and it changes nothing.  ONLY perhaps the thought in your head.

Your life will be the best indicator of change. You will literally experience what you have changed or what you have not.  You simply cannot get a new life by thinking differently without actions taken on your part.

My mother's life is clearly a prime example of doing the same thing, BUT expecting a different result.  She was vigilant in watching for the pedophile's actions, but she was not even a bit vigilant with her response.

She did the same thing for 49 years…hoping at some point her life would change for the better.  What she failed to appreciate was that she was the one keeping it the same, by doing the same over and over and over again.

I still don't believe she was broken hearted about her abusive husband, but she was broken hearted about her husband who didn't love her. She failed to see beyond her needs…and failed to move beyond her thoughts.

She let his past behavior go and go and go…into many future lives.

Letting the past go, is like letting a harmful animal roam at will.

It isn't the good times of the past that damage the future, but all the negative actions you let slip past you…while working hard to remain positive.

I let the past go.  I stood firmly against abuse and all the actions that supported it.  I faced squarely the negative and let it go.

I let the negative go, no matter who was wearing it.  

You can't let the past go until you actually walk away.

If you just think differently you walk hand in hand with a negative relationship.

You are but a silent partner.