An Open Letter To The Past
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

An Open Letter To The Past

There is a reason you don't ever reach the Present.

351
An Open Letter To The Past
Bump&Blush

I know you have always been around, but I am grateful we are never in the same place at one time. You can't seem to keep up and are always one step behind. I recognize that you want to be my shadow and keep following me around everywhere, but truth is you don't hold that kind of power over me anymore.

If you must know, then yes, I do thank you for all the lessons you taught me. Your character holds both the fun lessons and the tough ones. Without you, I wouldn't have book knowledge or common sense. I really do appreciate what you taught me.

You are a bittersweet thing because you contain sweet memories that bring joy to my heart, but some days you just try to haunt me with the mistakes I have made or make me sad, simply because those memories are there.

Without you, I would have never met my family, my friends, teachers, mentors, love-interests, coaches, or Jesus Christ. You hold all of those people in your grasp and mostly, I feel blessed by those you introduced me to. There are days I get angry by the people that slipped away, but I have to remember that not everyone is a part of every chapter of my life.

For a long time, I hated you. I felt like I couldn't defeat you. You kept nagging me and reminding me of all the ways I didn't live up to certain expectations. The minute I felt accomplishment, you beat me back down with reminders of where I had failed. For too long, you defined me, and I also let others define me by you. It was then that I realized our relationship needed to change, but I think you knew that all along. You had just hoped I wouldn't recognize that.

You, Past, have happened. You, Past, have helped shape me. You, Past, helped me to grow. You, Past, taught me a lot about myself. You, Past gave me many sweet memories.

There is a place you belong, however, and that is not in the Present. I am no longer defined by you, I am only sometimes influenced by you. We can only get along when you say where you were meant to.

The rest is history.

Sincerely,

The Present Me

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39315
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23845
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949984
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

128473
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments