My Past, My Present
A Story of Falling, Learning, and Rising Again
There are moments in life when silence speaks louder than words when the heart, weighed down by memories, asks, “What if I could start again?” I often find myself there, standing between my past and my future, wondering how one defines the other.
My past was not a fairytale. It was messy, unpredictable, and full of mistakes I once thought I could never escape. There were days when I tried to smile while holding back tears, nights when I looked at the ceiling, asking myself where I went wrong. I used to think that if I could change the past, I’d finally find peace. But I was wrong peace was never in changing what happened; it was in accepting it.
When I look back now, I see a younger version of myself peful but scared. I see a person who trusted easily, dreamed freely, and loved deeply. But life has a way of teaching lessons in the hardest ways. I lost people I thought would stay forever. I failed in things I believed were my destiny. I broke down in moments when I was supposed to be strong.
At first, I hated that version of me he one who made those choices, who wasted time on the wrong people, who stayed silent when I should have spoken. But as the years passed, I realized that every version of myself was necessary. Without that pain, I wouldn’t have learned empathy. Without those failures, I wouldn’t have understood strength.
My past is no longer something I run away from. It’s something I walk beside, like an old friend who reminds me where I came from. The broken roads taught me how to rebuild; the dark nights showed me how to search for light.
Now, when I think of my future, I don’t imagine perfection I imagine growth. My future isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about becoming more of who I truly am. The lessons I carry are not burdens anymore; they are seeds I plant for tomorrow.
I have dreams again, but they are quieter now not about fame or approval, but about peace and meaning. I dream of waking up without regret, of building relationships that don’t drain my soul, of finding happiness in simple things: a sunrise, a quiet walk, a small victory after a long struggle.
My future is not a straight path; it’s a journey of slow healing. I’ve learned that it’s okay to take my time, to move one small step at a time. There’s no deadline for self-growth, no finish line for peace.
Sometimes, the past still knocks at my door memories that sting, faces that fade, voices that echo. But now I know how to answer. I tell them, “Thank you for teaching me, but I don’t live there anymore.”
The future still feels uncertain, but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s a blank page, and for the first time, I’m holding the pen. I’m not writing a story of perfection Im writing one of persistence. I want my future to be a place where my past mistakes don’t haunt me but guide me; where my scars aren’t symbols of pain but of survival.
Life has shown me that every ending hides a new beginning. The person I once was is gone, but their lessons remain. The person I am becoming is still learning, still growing, still fighting but with more patience, more understanding, and more hope.
So, when I stand between my past and my future now, I no longer feel torn. I feel connected. My past made me strong; my future keeps me moving.
And maybe that’s what life really is not about forgetting where we’ve been, but about carrying the lessons forward. Not about rewriting the past, but about using it to write a better tomorrow.
My past taught me how to survive.
My future will teach me how to live.
About the Creator
The Angry Man in Your House
"If you grow up with an angry man in your house, there will always be an angry man in your house" This statement has caused plenty of controversy online, people say its a statement that blames victims while also undermining those who break traumatic cycles to form health relationships... but if I'm honest now that I'm in my 30s it makes more sense to me than ever, and I'd argue that its not just about fathers and uncles.
By S. A. Crawford3 days ago in Humans
Alexander the Great — Part 4: Death, Division, and an Immortal Legacy
Babylon had become Alexander’s administrative center and was intended to be the capital of his vast empire. The city was strategically located and symbolized the blending of Eastern and Western cultures — a key vision for Alexander. He planned new military campaigns, including a possible invasion of Arabia, and began organizing naval expeditions. However, after days of heavy drinking and planning, Alexander suddenly fell ill. Ancient sources describe him suffering from fever, weakness, and the gradual loss of speech. Within roughly ten days, he died. The exact cause of Alexander’s death remains one of history’s great mysteries. Some historians suggest malaria, typhoid fever, or another disease common in the region. Others believe complications from old battle wounds and exhaustion contributed to his decline. There have also been theories of poisoning, though evidence remains inconclusive. Whatever the cause, the sudden loss of such a powerful ruler left a massive empire without clear leadership. Alexander had not named a definitive successor. When asked on his deathbed who should inherit the empire, he reportedly said, “To the strongest.” Whether this statement is accurate or not, it reflected the reality that followed. His generals, known as the Diadochi, began competing for control. At first, they attempted to maintain unity by ruling in the name of Alexander’s unborn son and his half-brother, but tensions quickly escalated into open conflict. The Wars of the Diadochi lasted for decades. Former allies turned against each other, carving the empire into separate kingdoms. Ptolemy took control of Egypt and established a dynasty that would rule for nearly three centuries. Seleucus gained vast territories in the east, forming the Seleucid Empire. Antigonus and his descendants controlled parts of Asia Minor and Greece. Instead of a single unified empire, Alexander’s conquests transformed into a network of Hellenistic states. Despite political fragmentation, Alexander’s cultural influence continued to grow. His campaigns had spread Greek language, art, and philosophy across Asia and the Middle East. This fusion of Greek and local traditions created what historians call the Hellenistic world. Cities founded by Alexander, especially Alexandria in Egypt, became centers of learning and innovation. The Library of Alexandria housed thousands of scrolls and attracted scholars from across the known world. Advances in science, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine flourished during this period. Alexander’s leadership style also left a lasting impact. He encouraged cultural integration, adopting aspects of Persian dress and customs and promoting marriages between his soldiers and local populations. Though some of his Macedonian troops resisted these policies, they contributed to the blending of cultures that defined the Hellenistic age. Trade routes expanded, connecting Mediterranean markets with those in India and Central Asia. Ideas and technologies traveled along these routes, shaping civilizations for centuries. Over time, Alexander became more than a historical figure; he became a legend. Stories about his life were retold in many cultures, each adding its own interpretations. In Greek and Roman traditions, he was portrayed as a heroic conqueror and brilliant strategist. In Persian and Middle Eastern tales, he appeared as a complex ruler, sometimes wise and sometimes destructive. In South Asian folklore, he was remembered as a powerful but distant invader. These varied portrayals demonstrate how deeply his story resonated across different societies. Historians continue to debate Alexander’s character. Some view him as a visionary who sought to unite diverse peoples under a shared culture. Others see him as an ambitious conqueror driven by personal glory. He could be generous and respectful toward defeated enemies, as seen with King Porus, but also ruthless when facing resistance. His execution of close companions, such as the general Parmenion, and his increasing demand for divine honors reveal the pressures and changes he experienced as his empire grew. What is certain is that Alexander transformed the ancient world in an extraordinarily short time. In little more than a decade, he dismantled one of the largest empires in history and replaced it with a new cultural and political landscape. His campaigns opened routes for trade and communication between East and West, influencing the spread of ideas that would shape future civilizations. Even the rise of the Roman Empire was indirectly influenced by the Hellenistic states that emerged from Alexander’s conquests. Alexander’s tomb itself became part of the mystery surrounding his legacy. After his death, his body was placed in a golden sarcophagus and eventually transported to Egypt. It was displayed in Alexandria, where later rulers and visitors reportedly paid their respects. Over time, however, the exact location of his tomb was lost. Despite numerous searches, it has never been definitively found, adding another layer to the legend of the man who conquered so much yet left behind unanswered questions. Part 4 of Alexander’s story shows that while his life ended abruptly, his influence did not. His empire fractured, but his vision of cultural connection endured. He remains a symbol of ambition, leadership, and the complexities of power. Alexander the Great’s journey from a young Macedonian prince to the ruler of a vast empire continues to inspire fascination. His story is not only about conquest but also about the spread of ideas, the blending of cultures, and the enduring impact one individual can have on the course of history.
By Say the truth 4 days ago in Humans
Comments (1)
the moment u understand the past must happen in order to become you is the relief moment. thanks for your support :)