This is part 3 of a series of blogs on polarities. I would like to present the next polarity which is past-future. Sometimes individual’s can get stuck on issues of the past or focus exclusively on the future. Focussing exclusively on either pole might bring about negative contingencies. If an individual focuses exclusively on the past then one might up fixating on previous mistakes or previous achievements which are now a product of time. For example – individuals who fixate on previous memories struggle to make new positive ones and compare the new to the old which might not be better than previous experiences. This negative perception of the present might continue to influence new experiences as one would perceive new experiences as negative in light of a more colourful past. Whereas an individual who directs one’s energy on the future might miss out on the present, which leaves one feeling remorseful about missed experience simply to attain a goal in the distant future.
What is important is to allow oneself to experience the ebb and flow through both sides of the poles in order to experience both sides of the spectrum. This can be done in order to help one to learn from both ends and incorporate this learning into one’s life. Learning from past mistakes or successes helps an individual develop, thus one doesn’t need to get caught up in past mistakes after all history teaches us that our species learns best from mistakes. Thinking about the future is important however to get caught up in a distant goal and attend to nothing else may cause individuals to miss out on the present.
Karl Grech is a counsellor. He offers counselling to both individuals and couples within Willingness. He can be contacted on karl@willingness.com.mt or call us on 79291817.