Sunday, June 29, 2008

Inner happiness and Star Trek wisdom

I believe that as long as I live, I'll never understand why some people seem so determined to torpedo their own peace of mind and sabotage their own happiness.
I am definitely not talking about cases of physical abuse--that is a serious crime and should be treated as such. I'm talking about those who seem to be incapable of letting go of the types of hurts and setbacks that we've all encountered in our pasts. Let's face it, if you've had any kind of involvement or interaction with other people, I'd say there's a 100% chance that you've been hurt. It's a part of life, and a healthy psyche will realize it for what it is--I choose to see such things as a learning experience--and move on. Sadly, there are some that would rather gather their hurts and perceived slights around them like a mantle--or a shroud--rather than casting them off, and if not leaving them completely behind, at least realizing that they are a small part of life that can be dealt with.
I find it perplexing to encounter people that are consumed by bitterness and anger, unable to let go of things that happened decades ago. I definitely remember things that happened to me, because there are some things that you just never forget...but I'm not consumed by these thoughts, and my life is not affected in an adverse way. Quite the opposite, in fact, because I did my best to learn from those events and tried to steer my life in a positive direction based on what I learned. There I go again with that healthy psyche! I'm not sure why there are those that seem to be incapable of taking this step. I really do find it puzzling...it's such an alien concept to me.
It also makes me feel kind of bad for these people who are so "eaten up," as my Mom would say. What a sad life it must be when you continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over again, and you're not contemplative or aware enough to realize that you are damaging yourself more than anyone else. George Santayana said, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." This statement is usually used when speaking of public policy and of nations, but it certainly applies just as well in our personal lives. Part of our growth as human beings is predicated upon learning from our past experiences and recognizing the damaging patterns that we perpetuate. When I was going off to college, my Dad told me that he wished that he could give me the benefit of his experiences and his mistakes...but he went on to say, "I know it doesn't work that way...some things you just have to learn for yourself." I never forgot that and I've always tried to learn from both the good and the bad. Regrets? Yeah...I've had a few. But really, too few to mention. (Sorry, I had to inject a little humor in there.) I DO have regrets, but the key thing is that I don't dwell on them. I've reached the age where I'm starting to realize that our time here on earth is limited, and that life is too short to focus on the negatives of our pasts. To wallow in anger from past hurts is not healthy, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. A character in the very first episode of the original "Star Trek" says, "A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head on and licks it, or he turns on it and starts to wither away."
I've chosen--and continue to choose--to take my Dad's advice and learn, grow, and forge bravely ahead into my future. I refuse to be bogged down by my past, my present is happier than I ever thought it could be, and I believe that my future will be even better, as Ken and I continue our plan and begin to focus on the second half (post-career) of our lives. I hope each and every one of you make the same choice. I'll go back to that first episode of "Star Trek," in which one of the Talosians says, "...you have reality. May your way be as pleasant."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very good entry Beth. I agree on this with you. I have had hurts in the past and like you I haven't forgotton them by any means but I don't dwell on those things and try to have a good and postitive attitude. My Ken has also in the past but we have a happy life together now even though our health limits what we are able to  do to achieve that happiness. Peace of mind is the key. Hugs, Helen
P.S. Tell your Ken I appreciate his comments in my journal along with yours of course.

Anonymous said...

so good to hear that you have a healthy outlook on things. This was well written also.  Sometimes, what some take as living in the past may be a real disease for the other person and that is depression.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

that is a great outlook on life
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Life is too short to be wasting it on hate!  I loved this entry.
Missie

Anonymous said...

This was a really good entry.  I think that there are people who feed their bitterness and hate because they are afraid of what may be left if they let go of it -- there may be nothing else there, and they don't know how to put anything good in its place.  They get comfortable with their feelings and thoughts the way they are and may be insecure about who they'll be or what they'll have left.  That's just my opinion, you know, psychologist that I am!  lol
Lori

Anonymous said...

I just had to do this very thing this weekend. Not for the sake of those who hurt me. But for my own.
Laini

Anonymous said...

No doubt we both seem to be thinking along the same lines lately..must be our ages (winks). I had a friend once tell me with my life I had every right to be bitter and angry at the world. Why? why let that bitterness consume you and let those who hurt you in the end win, because they gave you the tools to continue hurting yourself. I know abuse in every form that it ever existed...yet I'm still full of hope and thirst for what life has yet to honor me with. Sure I have my days of melancholy, everyone does. The trick is not allowing that to be the extent of your days. (Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

I hope whatever it is that's bugging you will go away xx  You certainly have the attitude though x

Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/Jmoqueen/MyLife