Sometimes you have to give up what you used to have for something better. Sometimes you want something, but in order to get that you have to do something wrong. In that case, obtaining that something that way is faulty. It’s a lie that your life will be better with that thing. What enriched your past may not be worth it to go back. You wouldn’t be progressing by looking at the past; you’d be regressing.
“Fighting is ordained for you, even though it be hateful to you; but it may well be that you hate a thing the while it is good for you, and it may well be that you love a thing the while it is bad for you: and God knows, whereas you do not know.” (Qu’ran 2:216)
Our lives that were before may be bad for us while this life we have, which seems less attractive to us may be better for us. This includes having certain friends, doing certain activities, and loving certain habits. They all may be bad for us.
Progress is gaining exponentially. Regression is going back to the way things were. Many people look to the past to find answers. They cherish what has happened in order to try to make the present right. They look too much into it. Others on the other hand look to the future for answers. They try to predict every outcome and base their present life on future possibilities. They rely too much on hopes and dreams that may never come true.
The truth is, both are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. In order to live a good life, you need to progress in what you’re doing by focusing on the present, and aim for a life as good as your past by focusing on your present as well, if not a better life. You can integrate the future and the past into your present. You don’t need to forget the good memories from the past, but you mustn’t grieve over the past. Nor should you fear the future. By following this rule of thumb, you are following one of the aspects of being a believer.
You’re not a failure if your life doesn’t seem to be as good as before. Change is important in order to evolve. You may not be the same person your friends once new before, but you can also be stronger than before. You can be independent, self-sufficient, and driven in other things.
Because of this change, not everyone will accept you. But if you know in your heart you are doing right, there’s nothing to worry about. Your self-confidence and self-satisfaction isn’t based on others’ opinions. You have to let go of the past and the baggage that sins create.
You may have all the fun in life but you may be far from the true path. And you may seemingly have a mundane life but you may very well be on the straight path. You have to know yourself. Realize it’s not worth going back to a past full of sins and evil. You need to change and let go of the things that hold you back from being a good person.
You don’t need a time machine to perfect life. You need not look far. Just look at the pathway before you. As long as it is straight, the past, future, and present will realign themselves and you won’t desire a change in life. You’ll be happy the way you are. And the way you will be happy is by avoiding sins and evil.