Taming the ghosts of the past

One reason for lack of peace of mind is your past.Your past has mistakes and blunders.Your mind reminds you of the past.You think about how different life would have been if a different choice was made in the past.You mull over the missed opportunities.You regret your past and wish there was a way to undo it or there was a time machine to rewind time.You realise that there is no way to change your past.

This realisation is painful and you feel sad.

Is there a way out?

Life happens in the present and you miss life if you are in the past or future.

What can be done to overcome regret and come to terms with the past?

1] Acknowledge: However painful it may be, don’t avoid thinking about what is causing you pain. Identify exactly what is causing you pain. It is okay to feel low or shed some tears.

2] Analyse: Analyse what was the mistake. Was it your mistake or was the situation beyond your control?

If it was your mistake

Society wants you to be perfect.

Teachers want you to be perfect.

Your family wants you to be perfect.

You want to be perfect.

But the reality is that you cannot be perfect.

You are human.

You will make mistakes and blunders.

It is okay to make mistakes and blunders.

You should learn from them.

Vow not to repeat the mistake again.

Shift your focus from sadness to learning.

It will make you feel better.

If situation was beyond your control

Maturity is realising that everything in life does not match your expectations.

You have freedom to set a goal.

You have freedom to work for it.

But at times you cannot control the result.

You do not have full control over your situation.

That is the reality whether you like it or not.

3] Follow the Serenity prayer: