I had a friend was a big baseball player
Back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool, boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside, sat down, had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about was
[Chorus]
Glory days, well they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days (Alright)
--Glory Days, Bruce Springsteen
Breaking The Chains: The Power Of Releasing Your Past
We all have a past, and sometimes, events from the past have a way of sticking with us and holding us back from moving forward. While learning from our past and remembering our successes is important, it is equally important not to let it keep us stuck in place.
Think of the stereotypical high school jock who always reminisces about the glory days, or the woman who struggles to build healthy relationships because she has not moved on from her college boyfriend's betrayal. The negative aspects of our past have a tendency to cling onto us, wrapping their influence around us. Despite our efforts to stay in the present, the chains of the past remain tightly wound. We carry the weight of these chains into every experience, and they have a powerful impact on our current lives. However, there is great power in releasing the past and breaking free from these chains.
6 Steps to Breaking the Chains
- Accept Your Past. The first step in breaking those chains is to acknowledge and accept your past. It is an essential part of the process. You must confront the unresolved emotions and pain that you have buried deep within, which will require self-reflection and courage. By facing your past head-on, you remove its power over your present moment and the future.
- Forgiveness. Another necessary step in breaking those chains is forgiveness. Whether it is forgiving yourself or someone else, many people hold grudges over past events. It is important to remember that forgiveness does not mean forgetting what happened. If someone has hurt or wronged you, forgiving them does not mean forgetting the harm they caused you. It also does not mean making up and being friends. It is a conscious decision to let go of the painful emotions that have lingered since the experience. Forgiveness is not for them; it is for you!
- Self-compassion is one of the most vital aspects of breaking free from the chains of the past. Treating yourself with the same understanding and kindness you extend to your closest friends is self-compassion. You treat them with care and offer them a gentle response, but you are your worst enemy – your harshest critic. You hold yourself to an impossible standard, and when you make a mistake, you give yourself a hard time. Self-compassion provides a nurturing environment to foster healing and growth.
- Mindfulness is another powerful tool for breaking the chains of your past. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment, observing thoughts without judgment, and acknowledging feelings without opinion. Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and body scanning help develop the ability to release the past, dismiss intrusive thoughts, and appreciate the beauty of each moment.
- Setting boundaries is crucial for personal growth, especially when it comes to breaking free from negative behaviors and repetitive patterns. Boundaries safeguard against such behaviors, allow for better utilization of time and energy, and create room for change and progress.
- Reconnect to yourself. When we're living in the past, we're missing out on who we can be in the present, and this can lead to feeling disconnected from your passions, goals, and even your body. Moving on involves refocusing on yourself and cultivating the areas of your life you care about. Recommit to your hobbies and interests, and allow yourself time to heal and move forward in your life.
Pro Tip: Massage Can Help Us Reconnect!
Massage therapy can be a powerful way to reconnect to ourselves. Massage reconnects through the body. It allows it to feel again and allows the mind to focus on what’s important and what is not, and the sensation of touch gives the body a sense of how it actually feels.
While breaking the chains of the past may be challenging, it is indeed possible. By following the step-by-step process outlined above, one can achieve this goal. It will take time, commitment, self-awareness, forgiveness, self-compassion, mindfulness, and boundary-setting. Adopting a forward-focused mindset is essential as it requires resilience and dedication. The rewards, however, are profound. Your life will be liberated from the burdens of the past, and endless possibilities for growth, healing, and self-realization will emerge as you let go and embrace your potential