What Could Have Been

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I was responding to a post about your favorite saying and as I typed some of my favorites, I remembered one that I said to a friend. It was just something that popped into my head when I was trying to get her to see what she was doing to herself. See, this friend could not give up the past. Everything she did and everyone she met was measured by things from long ago. She was having a hard time getting on with her life. Relationships were almost impossible because no man could measure up to the boyfriend from high school. There was a new man on the horizon, a wonderful, loving and successful man. He was quite handsome, but very unassuming. However, she was not going to give him a chance because she still lived for the thought that her high school love would re-enter her life. I had my doubts since she had not seen or talked to him in 20 years. That is when I said to her, you have to give this thought and fantasy up. I tried to get her to realize that he probably was not the knight in shining armor that she made him out to be. Finally, I picked up a picture of this new guy who was so crazy about her, I showed it to her and said...Do not let what could have been get in the way of what could be. It took awhile, but she finally listened to me and now has a great relationship. She is much happier after letting go of the past. I think we can let the events of our past make or break us. I for one do not have time to allow my past to break me. Life is to short to waste it worrying about past events that can't be changed. Do you know anyone that lives in the past? How has your past affected you? Do you think it would be worth it to break free of those things and instead of dwelling on them, learn and grow from them?