The important thing to realise about the past is this: it doesn't exist. That's why it's the past. It was. Now it isn't. What do exist are memories of the past.
These memories can be either a source of joy or a source of sorrow for us. Either way it is irrelevant. Since the past no longer exists these memories might as well just be stand-alone thoughts. They might as well just be things which you imagined.
The present on the other and is very real. It can easily be described as everything which is real - because since everything exists now and not in the past, everything which is in the present must be real and vice-versa.
And the present is made up of consequences of the past. That is the only part of the past-and indeed of our memories- which matters; the consequences. The past might as well just never have been- might as well just be a great illusion. But the consequences of that illusion exist in the present.
So next time a memory haunts you and you can't block it out- remember that it's not real. Only it's consequences are real. And if you aren't happy with those consequences get out of memory lane and do something about them!
N.B.) The present is the past of the future- so plan your consequences wisely.
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