Learn From the Past but Live in the Now🤔👨‍🏫🎯

Published: Tue, 06/25/24

Updated: Mon, 07/01/24

Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.

Buddha

There is no past or future only the now.
I hear this a lot on Social Media, and I understand where the sentiment is coming from. Although I'm a fan of history, when it comes to my own life, I've never been one to be overly reliant on what I've done in the past. Don't get me wrong. I've always had respect for what I've done because it has led me to who I am now. My only requirement was that my memories had to propel me and not be a millstone around my neck.

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If not now,when?

My past should be a springboard to bigger and better things for my future. Even when I'm beating myself up about something I did years ago, at the back of my head, I'm picturing a way to make good on my fuck up. My real challenge has been my focus on the future. For me, that can have its issues. I have to be careful that I'm not just fantasizing but putting in the work in the present. It may be hard to believe, but my future and my past are simply mental constructs.
All I have is the present, the now.

🌠 Enter the Character Creation Challenge! 🌠

Every unforgettable story starts with compelling characters. This month, we’re inviting you to breathe life into a new character fit for a speculative fiction universe. Whether your creation belongs in the corridors of a spacecraft, the depths of an enchanted forest, or the bustling streets of a dystopian city, we want to see what you can imagine!

Challenge Details: Create a character based on the theme of "Survival in a Strange World". Your character should possess traits that make survival possible in unusual or harsh environments. Think about abilities, skills, personality traits, and physical characteristics that would help your character thrive.

How to Participate:Character Description: Submit a detailed description of your character (300 words max). Include their name, age, appearance, abilities, background, and how they cope with the challenges of their world.
Character Art (optional): If you’re artistically inclined, feel free to include an original drawing or digital artwork of your character.

Judging Criteria:

Originality: How unique is your character?
Relevance to Theme: How well does your character fit the survival theme?
Detail: How vividly and thoroughly have you described your character?
Creativity in Abilities: How interesting and fitting are the character’s abilities?

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: A feature in our next newsletter, a $25 bookstore gift card, and a chance to write a guest post or interview about how you came up with a character in the Character Creation Challenge.

🥈 Second Place: Your First Line Hook featured in my newsletter and a $15 Amazon gift card.

🥉 Third Place: Your First Line Hook in one of my Facebook posts and a $10 Amazon gift card

Submission Deadline

Get ready to hook us with your words and potentially see your first line kickstart a beloved new story in the minds of our readers! Be sure to get your submissions in by 31th July 2024.

This must be one of life's trickiest balancing acts - learning from our past, forecasting our future without letting them hold us hostage. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Easy for a writer to say, you create whole new worlds for a living!" But trust me, this struggle is universal, whether you're crafting supernatural thrillers or just trying to navigate your 9-to-5.
Our minds are like time machines, constantly zipping between yesterday's regrets and tomorrow's anxieties. We replay old mistakes on a loop, obsess over "what ifs," and let past hurts colour our present. It's like trying to drive forward while staring in the rear-view mirror—a recipe for disaster, right?

Our past and future are narratives woven to make sense of our experiences. Like any good story, they're open to interpretation and rewriting.
Both are important, but the key is approaching them like a scientist analyzing data, not a prisoner trapped in a cell. So, how do we strike that balance? How do we honour our journey without getting stuck in the mud?

D Godden Esquire - Fruit n Veg Exporter and Immortal.

Good Girls Gone Bad - supernatural action thriller.

Let me break it down for you with some practical strategies:

Reframe your past as a training ground, not a prison sentence. Every setback, heartbreak, and embarrassing moment are just simulations preparing you for your hero's journey. Instead of cringing at old memories, ask yourself: "What did this experience teach me? How did it make me stronger?" Then, make your future shiny.
Practice selective remembering. The human thought process has evolved to focus on the negative for survival, but we can rewire it. Make it a habit to recall and celebrate your wins regularly, no matter how small. Did you nail that presentation last year? Are you still rocking that healthy habit you started months ago? Give yourself props, Gentle Reader.
Use the past as a springboard, not an anchor. When faced with a new challenge, reflect on relevant past experiences. But don't stop there. Ask yourself: "How can I apply those lessons creatively to this new situation?" It's about evolution, not repetition.
When you imagine your future, embrace the power of "Yet." Didn't achieve that goal you set? Couldn't master that skill? Add "yet" to the end of those statements. "I haven't landed my dream job... yet." "I'm not fluent in Spanish... yet." It's a small word with big implications for your mindset.
Practice daily mindfulness. Even five minutes of focused breathing or meditation can help anchor you in the present moment. It's like smashing the reset button on your mental time machine.
Set future-focused goals. Having clear objectives pulls your attention forward. Make sure they're specific, challenging, and aligned with your values. Getting stuck in the past is harder when you're excited about what's ahead.
Seek out new experiences. Nothing snaps you out of old thought patterns like fresh stimuli. Try a new hobby, visit a new place, meet new people. It's like giving your brain new data to process.
Remember, you're the author of your own story. Just like in my work, you have the power to reimagine your narrative. Focus on the plot points that empower you, and be willing to rewrite the ones that don't serve your character development.

So next time you catch yourself dwelling on old regrets or rehashing ancient arguments, take a deep breath. Remind yourself: "That was then, this is now.

When you start to question the possibility of seeing your goals to fruition or question your capability to get the job done, remember that what you do in the eternal now will produce the results for your future.

Because here's the real truth - your most epic adventure, thrilling plot twist, and satisfying character arc are all waiting for you in the now. All you gotta do is show up, fully and fearlessly, and write the next page.

Now go out there and live your story, family. Make it one for the ages.

Let's do it together.

Until next time, keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

Peace, love and power.

Be Your Own Hero.