by Steve Goodier
The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to
administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask
whether anything was troubling him.
"Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You
see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I can
never remember where I park my car, where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to
do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I
do?"
The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in
advance."
Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad...especially when we
decide to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the present.
Like one song says, "There ain't no future in the past."
The past is to be remembered -- how else will we learn from it
and keep from repeating it? But why would I want to remember every time I felt
hurt because of my spouse, my children, my friends, my boss or anybody else? Why
would I want to fill my mind with a detailed catalogue of past pain? Better to
remember the times they brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth.
Unfortunately, even those wonderful and magical moments too easily fade away.
A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross,
asked her about a particular traumatic event in her life. Miss Barton seemed
perplexed.
"Can't you remember?" the friend prodded.
Clara Barton replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."
Dwell on the past -- but not the negative past, not the pain of
the past nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past joys and
obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that uplifted you, the times you
laughed and the memories of love shown to you by friends and family.
Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well
know what to forget and what to cherish. Like the song says, "There ain't no
future in the past." But there IS joy there. And love. And kindness...if we
choose to remember.
Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker,
consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or
to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.