So I've been seeing a lot of pictures on social media recently with the tag '#TBT'. I never even knew what this meant until fairly recently. But for anyone who doesn't know, it stands for Throw Back Thursday. And with this tag, most people like to share an old photo or memory which I think is a lovely idea.


However for some people, looking back into their past, isn't the nicest of things to do. Not everyone has had a wonderful past and unfortunately nothing can change that. Now I don't want people reading this to think that I am in any means saying that Throw Back Thursday is bad- it isn't and I like it! I wrote in a previous blog post about not dwelling on the past and I think this is relevant here. Perhaps instead of Throw Back Thursday, we should focus on Throw Forward Thursday, and spend time thinking about all the little things that we look forward to in the future.

Because no matter how dark your past is, the future will always provide light.

You should always enjoy the memories of the past, never forget them and hold them close to your heart, and you should always appreciate the  present. Live for the moment more and enjoy what you have right now. I don't think people should spend their whole present thinking about the future. However thinking about the little things can really help keep us going. For example thinking about a possible holiday with a loved one can really make a difference to your attitude. I really want to go back to DisneyLand Paris next year for my 21st birthday- and even though it is a way away, it makes me smile thinking that it might happen. The thought of moving into a house in September with some close friends, is also making me excited and really lifting my happiness levels.

If we are down about the past or even the present, it really has an impact in our mood and happiness. But the one thing that we can't be sad about is the future- because it hasn't happened yet. So imagine it as a blank canvas or an empty book which is down to you to fill with wonderous, amazing adventures and smiles. Just because you are growing up, doesn't mean you can't have just as many adventures as you did when you were a kid.

So lock the past in your heart, and don't dwell. Live for the present and live it well. Look forward to the future, and never think that the tunnel is closed- there is always light!

I'm not sure how much of that statement is true. I do think that sometimes things happen for no reason, and we have no control over how or why the occur. But I truly believe that some things are predetermined, and DO happen for a reason.

Many cultures and religions believe in fate and destiny, and have different ideas as to our life's paths. Now, whether you believe that God is in control or your own self, I know we all want to have hope that bad things can be erased by the good. For example in Buddhist culture, there is the idea of Karma- bad things will happen when you do something bad, and good things will happen to those who are good. I personally like this idea- even though being a Christian. I'd like to believe that cruel people will be punished for their behaviour and heroic, kind hearted people will be rewarded. I also believe that sometimes good people  have to go through bad times, in order to appreciate the good times. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, or a heart break, or just a bad grade. Perhaps in some cases bad things could be a sign for better things to come.

Sometimes it is comforting to think that 'everything happens for a reason'. It gives us hope. And if the world turns to nothing, all we will have left is hope. Hope is what keeps us moving on. And we have to move on. Otherwise the past will continue to bite us even when it's gone. You could watch the years past as you dwell on something that once happened, and you could miss what is right in front of you. Don't let the past make you miss the present.

I think all of us, what ever religion we are or even if we're atheist, want to believe in something. We all want to have hope that on the other side there is a better place. This doesn't necessarily have to be about the after life. The other side, to me, is the part of your life where you overcome something and move past it to see how bright the future still is and can be. Never lose faith in yourself and never give up on yourself. For whatever reason you are here, living on this earth. And I find that fascinating. We have all been given this chance.

So even when bad things happen that we can't control, whether they happen for a reason or not, we must not dwell on them. Simply accept the past as it is, and learn from it.