Pearls of the Past

The Past is Dead

I used to believe that the past is dead.
That the past is just a mere memory, waiting to be forever forgotten as time passes by.
A data in our long-term memory that degenerates slowly as we continue to generate new memories.... a happier memory.

However, that is not possible.
That "happier memory".

It isn't possible if we choose to fully repress and forget the past.
Because the past is history, and history tends to repeat itself.
Most especially if we do not learn from it.

Why is it Always Me?

Have you come across a time (or times) in your life where you ask yourself that question?
Why do things like this keep happening to me?
Why? Why? Why?

Instead of asking why, try asking yourself: why not?
If it keeps occurring, then there most probably have been things you're doing now that are similar to what you did in the past.

History, however long gone it may have been, teaches us about the future.
Yes, there are some memories that we prefer not to remember. Things that have hurt or tainted us in the past.

But I guess no matter how bad a memory is, always take the lessons that come with them. Things in the past where you made a mental note saying, "I will not do this again", or "I'll avoid this in the future", etc. Seems like these types of memories hold a greater lesson, because if it has hurt us it the past, we surely wouldn't want them to be repeated, yes?

From a Grain of Sand

A grain of sand, when it enters an oyster, irritates it. Hence, to protect itself from the irritation, the oyster will coat the sand with layers upon layers of nacre (pronounced nay-ker) a.k.a. "mother of pearl". Eventually, the layers will turn the grain of sand into a pearl. (source)



Bad memories, hurtful memories, and sad memories... they are the grains of sands in our life.
If we learn from them, inshaAllah, these memories will become the pearls of our lives. One day you may think: "if that [insert bad memory here] didn't happen to me, I may not be where I am now".

Remembering the Past

However, there is a difference between remembering and dwelling in the past.

When you remember the past, you remember the mistakes you may have made, and use it as a guide to tread carefully upon the new paths of life. You use it to move forward towards the future.

Dwelling in the past, however, is putting yourself in the past, regretting everything. You don't move forward in life. This is unhealthy, my love. Don't allow the past to become your present and future. Allah did not create us to live in the past. In fact, He created the past for us to learn from it.


So, as long as we are still living, keep moving forward. Learn from the past and keep on moving, inshaAllah.