Today, the third Saturday in July, is Toss Away the Could Haves/Should Haves Day. It means don’t go through life with regrets. Dr. Martha J. Ross-Rodgers, author and motivational speaker, created this day to help people let go of the past and live in the present. It begins with getting a piece of paper and writing down your “could haves” and your “should haves” in separate columns. Next, throw out the paper and make a resolution.
“From this day forward, I choose not to live in the past. The past is history that I cannot change. I can do something about the present; I choose to live in the present.”
Living in the past can do more harm than good. I’ve battled depression and my thoughts often filtered back to using past events as an excuse to give up or not even try. Letting go of those things is liberating. There are still things I regret and wish I could have done differently, but I don’t dwell on them or let them affect my judgement. Life can be an exciting adventure if you allow yourself to enjoy it. But you must live in the present. I’ll end today’s post with a quote from Lao Tzu.
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
~ Lao Tzu
James Pack 