{*Did you know you can write on Elephant? Here’s how—big changes: How to Write & Make Money or at least Be of Benefit on Elephant. ~ Waylon}

I’m not a big fan of New year’s resolutions, but when it comes to spirituality, I’d like to make decisions that draw me closer to my purpose.

At the end of every year, I do some self-reflection and evaluate how far I’ve come. There haven’t been any major wins in 2024. In fact, it’s been one of the most difficult years I’ve had. I’ve faced many challenges that have brought me to my knees and that haven’t been fully in my control.

So, no, I’m not celebrating any victories; if anything, I’m reassessing the unfortunate events that have happened and revisiting my reactions that have been mostly rooted in anger and dejection.

A big part of me has been revolting every second of every day. That inner revolution has forced me to face many difficulties—with myself and others. When I come to think about it, I know it hasn’t been easy. But fortunately, I know my weaknesses.

I’ve been getting too attached to the outcomes. I haven’t been able to have a relaxed attitude toward what’s going to happen next because, most times, I’m not satisfied with the results.

The truth is I’m angry with myself—not with others. I’ve always surrendered to life and everything it has brought my way—good or bad. But practicing detachment is getting harder by the day.

Recently, I’ve been repeating a quote by Eckhart Tolle that keeps me grounded and present. He says:

“Die to the past every moment. You don’t need it.”

If there is one thing I wish everyone would know, it’s that they can start over every single minute. When we speak about the past, the first thing that comes to mind is the faraway past—the one that’s filled with grief and failures and losses. But the past defines any moment that has passed; it could be one hour ago or two minutes ago.

You see, that’s my problem. I haven’t been able to let go of yesterday or today or even just now. I’ve been attached to certain outcomes and repeatedly getting disappointed when they don’t happen. Getting stuck in that space where I feel helpless is ugly.

I keep thinking about how I can improve my situation, not knowing that the only thing I can improve (and control) is me—not the situation. I need to remind myself that, as Tolle says, I don’t need the past. The past won’t ever change, but I can.

If you’ve also been struggling to let go of negative emotions, I want you to remember that our mind can be a dangerous ally. Hearing its constant mental chatter makes us believe everything it says. Sometimes we forget how easily we can lose control of our thoughts. Those who sit in meditation may understand the nature of the mind and how tricky it can be.

It keeps nagging us to believe that things could be different—that we could be more satisfied, maybe happier. And so we attach to the compulsive ideas in our heads, totally discarding other probabilities and possibilities. What if we realize that this moment has already become the past? What if we live every day without carrying it with us tomorrow?

We can save ourselves a lot of mental and emotional suffering if we practice absolute presence (if we can be in the “here and now,” as Tolle says in The Power of Now). We can never know how things might turn out, but we do know how some things have ended. Consequently, we have the choice every single minute to either let go of the past or carry it with us.

What do you choose in 2025?

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