A peek into the past and future

This photo is from Purana Qila in Delhi. It is a location that reminds us of the history of many centuries and an array of rulers. The fort has seen it all, braved and survived. It is standing neutrally and giving us the options to see and think with an open mind.

For me, the wall speaks of the past, the veranda indicates the present and greenery represents the future we dream of. Those green leaves indicate the hopes for which we keep looking for.

The way we look at the monuments depends on the history it holds. Each historical location would tell us stories from the past. We visit them in the present and may think about its future too.

Isn’t it present enabling us to know about the past and think about the future? Doesn’t it deserve maximum attention from us? As the present is a gift for us to live, do we call the gifts as presents also?

Do we tend to keep digging the past and laying the bricks for tomorrow? Today’s present will become past by tomorrow. Are we lost between past and future and missing to live and appreciate the present, now?

Is there any formula to determine how much time we should spend on the path we have covered already? The past is important, but instead of drowning in it, we could learn a lesson and move on. We may ponder on what went well or what we need to change to have a better today and tomorrow. It is better to focus on the present, the gift we have from the world.

Afterthought: How much time you spend delving into the past? Do you prefer to pick the lesson from it and let it go? Or, hold on to the past and miss the present moments? The choice is yours, let go of the past and enjoy the present moment.

—Anitha KC

Photo: Prashanth Hegde