Passing on the Past

January 5, 2025

Passing on the Past

I am unapologetically sentimental, a hopeless romantic, and a novelist. That is what’s otherwise known as the trifecta for those who look fondly upon the past. History is romantic, a period one can embellish; it possesses “lure” and “lore;” its poetry and myth become elegant over time.

The future can be inspiring and bright, but we cannot love it. I could not love my wife until I met her or my son until he was born. The future is a concept; it’s aspirational; it’s what we dream and why we plant trees. The past is a possession, one comprised of accumulated experiences whose culmination is what we are in the present.

No one cries in the future. There is no pain in our imagined tomorrows. I stare at a blank page, guided by one unassailable truth: the future cannot echo.

Daily writing prompt

Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

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Michael DeStefano

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dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1808, Why history matters

2 responses to “Passing on the Past”

abn4eternity

January 5, 2025

I believe I spend equal time thinking of my past and future. Without the past, I have no experience to be drawn from for visions of my future. I try to focus on the present but have found, personally, that the present is just my reaction to situations that occur around me, with and without my ability to affect any meaningful outcome. The only thing I can truly control is my mindset, my attitude, and response to the situations of my present. In looking at my past, analyzing and learning from it, I can shape my response to my present, therefore, in some small way, contribute to a better future for myself and those around me.

It was once a well known quote, and I am paraphrasing it here, that a person who forgets the past is destined to repeat it. With 20/20 vision of the past, I can see the intricate dealings and intersecting situations that result in peace and conflict in my present and future. The future is built on my past interactions and experiences. My present is solidified by my actions and reactions to my past and forges the different avenues to my future.

It is said that the victors control history, to write or rewrite the past as they see fit. Beyond our own past experiences, history is but a tale told by others whether we believe the stories or not. History can be manipulated, my past is mine and mine alone as long as I truly remember it and not give into someone else’s perception of it.

A sentimental romantic story teller, for the most part, writes of forgone days with longing that promises hope for a brighter future. A futurist, however can envision the future in a myriad of ways. The attitude in which an individual perceives the past most certainly affects their prospects of the future. I see the future like the inevitable summer storm or the winter flu during the winter. I must continually remind myself, no matter how bleak, bad, or disappointing my present seems, the further out my future is, the brighter it becomes. I must let the sentimental romantic story teller write my future with all the hope that is possible for a promising future.

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1. Michael DeStefano
  
  January 5, 2025
  
  Whether or not it’s within me to meaningfully affect a result, I always draw upon the words of Larry Elder: “You can’t control the outcome, but you can control the effort.” Moreover, if we have someone we love who loves us in return, the wins and losses are just stats that go quietly into the night.
  
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