Finding Balance Between the Past and the Present

I love seeing young people who are living a life that balances the past and the present. This beautiful Japanese woman is wearing a Yukata, a cotton kimono traditionally worn in warm weather. She looks elegant and cool on a humid and muggy day. I am impressed that even her cell phone is color coordinated with her outfit. She is a wonderful representation of the beauties of Japan and how they balance the ancient with the modern. Instead of forgetting their past they embrace it and bring it into the current century. 

How many things do we want to forget about our past? Who would ever want to revisit the days of neon and grunge, yet they are an important part of who we are. When we forget the past and the lessons we learned – as the saying goes – we are destined to repeat those mistakes. Sometimes it is easier to ignore the past and move forward, hoping the past does not catch up. But the past always catches up with us, and all too often lands us back in the same mess as we were when we originally experienced what are are trying to avoid. Somehow we have to find a way to celebrate the past and it’s lessons while moving into a better future. 

So this woman in a Yukata with her cell phone reminds me that some people know how to celebrate the ancient and utilize the technology of today. They understand who they are, where they come from and how to embrace what they have become over time. They also understand how to blend the best of technology and today without compromising what they value. She obviously enjoys the beauty of a summer kimono while savoring the connection her cell phone provides. It’s the best of both worlds. 

What lessons from your past have you been hiding that you now need to embrace? Knowing the lesson is one thing, acting on it and changing things is altogether another thing. The past can be painful, hard to face and a reminder that we need to improve. The future provides hope and opportunities that we may not even recognize yet. Put the two together and you have a solid foundation for tackling the life ahead. Forget to embrace both the past and the future and you miss the beauty the combinaiton can provide.