We would like to speak of memories. We have taught throughout our communications that all is in the present and not to hold onto the past or project your emotional energy into the future. Also, we have indicated all healing is in the present and past wounds are healed by releasing the past. It would seem then that steering your thoughts between the lines of the past and future is the only way to move safely forward.

What then of memories? Are they a mental exercise to be avoided? You might question if it is possible or even appropriate to live in the vacuum of neither responding to the past nor preparing for the future. We agree memories are part of the human thought process. We have explained that memories laden with emotional baggage are not beneficial and hinder present growth because of them.

What of those good memories that solicit feelings of warmth and love?

As mentioned, you cannot live in a mental vacuum, but you must choose where you wish your thoughts to dwell. Recalling the past makes it present; for, all memories are in the moment. The thoughts and emotions generated by them are in the now. They may seem a recalling of an old feeling, but they are new when retrieved and are experienced as if for the very first time. That is why detrimental memories need to be resolved; otherwise, you relive the trauma anew over and over again.

A memory is a thought, and all thoughts are present, therefore, they are a current event. So even though a memory seems to be a recollection, perhaps initiated by a photo, video or an event, it is equal to all other thoughts and considered to be in the present moment by the mind.

A meaningful memory is one you hold onto because of how it makes you feel now.

Therefore, recalling memories is a choice about how you wish to feel in the present moment. They are appropriate as long as you remain in the present while viewing them because they are not, as one might suppose, a pathway to the past—but a direction for your future.