The above quotation comes from the incomparable, Maya Angelou. It is important for all of us to recognize this important fact, that we cannot change the past, for the past is the past, but we can change what we are doing in the present, and by doing so, we can change the future for our good contribution to it. This thus means, that each of us invariably receives lessons, of which, probably the most expensive lessons to have received are those past events, that have hurt us or upset us, as well as those other actions so taken that we personally regret doing. All of us, that will not learn from the past, are prone to walk into and make the very same mistakes, going forward; whereas, those that rightly see the past as offering an object lesson to take to heart, can make adjustments, to therefore make for a better life.
As it has been said, life in this world is not necessarily fair, and the events that we subsequently have to deal with, may seem unwarranted and unjust; yet there they are, all the same. So then, it is our duty, to be therefore the change that we so desire to see in others, first in our own self; and by doing just that, we are bound to be able to face what needs be faced in the future, with greater courage; so that, when provided with more than one pathway on our personal road of life, we need to take into full account, that knowing where we want to go, is going to make our decision, so of, a lot clearer.
The toughest lessons to learn are, for example, those lessons which involve an action or interaction that is so dramatic, that it not only can’t be undone, but it can’t really be rectified in a manner in which fair justice will ever occur in the present. Those lessons indeed are a painful burden to bear, but decisions so made, even those lasting no more than a split second, can have profound consequences. So too, those lessons, in which we seemingly are stuck making the same sorts of mistakes again and again, need to be addressed in a manner in which we successfully pass that test, or else we will have to keep taking that test, again and again, until we are able to come up with the correct response. In this world, there are no shortcuts, and those so sold to us as shortcuts, are illusions, at best; so, it is up to us, to have the integrity of character, to recognize that we have to earn our way to where we need to go, as well as to have the wisdom to see that there are often notable others of good repute that will help us along our journey, so of, if we only request such of them.
Life, as it is, is going to be different for each one of us; and further to the point, the only person that can walk the line for a given individual, is specifically that person, and none other. Recognize this well, the prize that we so greatly desire, is the exact same prize for everyone; yet, the pathway to earn that prize is a unique experience for each person. Therefore, it is imperative that each one of us, finds the strength of being, to carry on and to successfully get pass whatever obstacles that are there, so as to therefore get to where they need to be, so they need not begin again as if they had never lived before.