How to change the past, the present and the future

For some years I’ve known how to change the past. While I’ve spoken about this to some of my friends, I’ve never written about it before. It’s actually very difficult, and yet, simple as can be.
It’s called forgiveness.
No, this isn’t a trick. Nor a joke. Your past will change, dramatically, when you forgive those who have hurt you, betrayed you, or done whatever other harm to you. Yes, this is true even if they never admit the wrong. The past changes, because you change your view of the past, your memory of the past, when you truly forgive.
These thoughts came to mind today because of two things I’ve read in the last 2 days. Both are related, yet the focus of each is in a slightly different direction.
Stephanie at Vox Daily writes today in response to something she heard on the radio. While she doesn’t say these exact words, the thrust of her comments are about changing your present. Stephanie does a beautiful job of connecting this idea to the world of voiceover…

…imaging something happy could make your voice happier sounding; a poignant memory could make your voice sound melancholic; imaging that you’ve just stubbed your toe could even make you feel pain… ouch!

And, for those times when life is grinding you down…

…look through old family photo albums. Remembering happy times and seeing images of people you love has an amazing effect on your spirit and outlook.

As for changing the future? That was the explicit point of this week’s Monday Morning Memo by Roy H. Williams. Here are the key paragraphs…

The cognoscenti will remember me saying, “A person can take no action until they’ve first imagined that action in their mind. Persuasion begins when a person imagines themselves doing what you want them to do.”
Last week, The National Academy of Sciences added to our understanding by making it clear: Our ability to imagine the future is linked to our memories of the past.

If you’d rather listen to Roy’s audio recording of his memo, you’ll find that file here. Listen or read, but take in the whole thing. You’ll be glad you did. And while you’re there, why not sign up for Roy’s Memo every week?
There you have it. The past, the present and the future…all inextricably linked through our memories.