“This is the art of the soul: 
to harvest your deeper life 
from all the seasons 
of your experience.”
~ John O’Donohue

There’s a cute little saying: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘the present.’” Living in the present is what we are all called to do, yet so many seem to get stuck in their past, while still others are overwhelmed with the stress of worrying about the future. It is a special gift to live in the present moment. Despite this, our past, our history, can still be a gold mine for nourishing our soul.

Some might disagree when I say that I don’t live in the past. I wholeheartedly embrace the present, yet I often speak and write about the past. How often do I mention growing up in San Francisco? How often do I mention having attended Saint Ignatius College Prep or Santa Clara University? How often do I write about my one-year experience teaching in the Bahamas? Yes, these are recurring themes in my writing and in my speech, which may understandably lead some to believe that I’m living in the past. 

John O’Donohue’s statement above is powerful. Many of the experiences of my past were unexpected. Many of the experiences of my past were life-changing. Many of the experiences of the past nourished my soul, and contributed significantly to who I am today. Why would I not be eager to look back and “harvest the deeper meaning of life” through those amazing adventures? 

Like anything else in life, balance is the key. Too much of anything can be detrimental to our physical or mental health. When it comes to the focus on our lives, it is true that a preoccupation with the past would be unhealthy. Similarly, to be obsessed with the future, fearful of what it may bring, would indicate a mental health concern which may need to be addressed. The concept of living in the present moment is positive, healthy, and admirable. This, however, does not preclude us from having a conscious awareness of the blessings of our past and acknowledging how those blessings enrich our present.

One thing for which I have been, and continue to be tremendously grateful is the gift of a good memory. I remember details of things that happened many years ago. This enables me to use this treasure chest of past memories to nourish my soul even to this day. Whether I’m writing or speaking, connecting the experiences of my past with the affairs of the present day is beneficial to me, and hopefully to my readers.