The past has no power over the present moment.
Eckhart Tolle
I woke up about 4am this morning and could not go back to sleep. Why? Because I started thinking about something that happened many years ago. I could not stop thinking about it, and it upset me to the point I wanted to scream!
I was given some advice by someone I trusted. I did what I was told to do and it was a mistake. A big mistake! The part that upsets me is that I didn’t agree with the advice and yet I followed it. My inner self told me it wasn’t the best option, that what I wanted to do was right. Still, this person was a professional with lots of experience and I was just learning.
I know now to follow my intuition, but back then I was unsure of myself and was looking for someone else to solve my problem. The problem last night was that I was angry, not just with my advisor but more so with myself. I don’t often lose sleep over this anymore and when I do it is upsetting.
Silly, isn’t it? It is over and done and life has gone on. I have survived and flourished in spite of the bad advice and my inexperience. It has taken a lot of determination and hard work and I have come to the understanding that I am to learn from my mistakes, to put the past where it belongs, and to live in the present. Usually, I don’t let the past bother me to the point of sleepless nights, but sometimes I forget my own good advice.
I rarely think about this anymore but when I do…
let’s just say I am less than my best self.
Grrrrrr.
Pexels-photo-6062
Patricia's Place 
I’m thinking we all have those regrets of things said or done we knew internally were misguided. Oh, those lessons we struggle to forget!
Yes, we all have regrets, and it is those I try to forget. But the lessons I want to remember, so I don’t repeat the mistakes and have new regrets.
Beautiful Writing with a cute picture❤️😊
Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement.
Yes, it sure happens to all of us, leaving things in the past can be a real challenge!
That challenge is bothersome clutter, and I don’t like the mental housework.
This happens to us all — both that we take advice we are not comfortable with and that we regret it at 3 a.m. for decades afterward. There were times in my youth I felt paralyzed with indecision and relied on someone else’s expertise. I have learned that is not a good idea. Best to research or whatever and take your own road. At least when you beat yourself up, it’s not because you didn’t follow your own way.
You are right, it is best to follow our own path. When I do that, even if there are problems, they are less troublesome. Sad to say, I am glad I am not the Lone Ranger in this.
Yes, we’re wiser in hindsight. I try not to linger in the past, but sometimes you can’t help but pay it a visit. I’ve learned to stop and ask myself, what’s truly in my heart, because I think that’s where God is your best adviser.
😽 🙏
Please allow me to apologize for all my random remarks to your commenters. I realized that might have been annoying Patricia. Will refrain from now on.. Susannah
I think we all have these moments. Best is to skim over the past and concentrate over the present.
Love…skim over the past. Lots of great phrases inspired by Patricia’s piece. So great for the reader. 🙂
🙏👍
It probably is a common trait among those who have decisions to make. All we have is the present time to live so it is as you say best to concentrate on today.
Yes, that’s the truth. No one can undo past so why waste time and thought on past mistakes.
Why are we so good at beating ourselves up?? I hope to take your good advice not to dwell on painful things in the past.
Those nooks and crannies that gave us empathy and character. The upside of being upside down. Hi Anne.
Being up is nicer than being down.
Yes, it’s the difference between the valley, and the mountaintop. 🙂
The view is good from the side of our mountain today. I hope you are having a lovely day.
Thanks. You too.
I don’t have an answer to your question. But I do hope you have only nights of restful sleep.
Thank you. I almost never have trouble sleeping. I hope you have restful sleep, too.
Happens to me too
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Hopefully, it doesn’t happen too often. Sleepless nights are miserable.
True!
We all do this from time to time and why is a mystery. We can’t change a thing, but we dwell on it nonetheless. You are not alone Patricia.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
Yes, none of us Sandee are alone in this. Loved that you said that.
The why certainly is a mystery!