Moments with D Episode 7
The last blog post focused on not allowing our experiences, especially the negative ones, to shape us into who we are not. Our negative experiences should end with us; others should not go through a negative cycle because of us.
There is this other side of it that I would like to talk about.
“Just because you did something wrong in the past doesn’t mean you can’t advocate against it now. It doesn’t make you a hypocrite; you now know better. Don’t let people use your past to invalidate your current mindset.”
The words above are not mine, but they kind of summarize my thoughts. It reminds me of a young lady who once walked up to me and said, “I have done some terrible things in the past. I would like to advocate against it now, but I still feel very guilty”.
We have amazing people today who, despite all they have been through, have chosen to still stand in the gap and say this has to stop with me.
I have heard the stories of people who have been victims of abuse, but today they have decided to stand against it. Their stance is that “another girl or boy must not go through the same things I have been through”. I also have people who have been victims of drug abuse but have not only changed but have also decided to be advocates against it. They do not want the young people around them to also fall victim like they did.
The truth is, your past experiences should not stop you from doing what is right today. I will reiterate, “Your negative experiences can and must stop with you” if we must give those ahead of us a chance to live a fair life.
People might even mock you for taking that decision because they know your past or story. After all, we live in a very callous society, but I believe strongly that the change you seek must first start with you.
Have you truly changed?
Have you truly allowed healing to take place?
If you answered yes, then move on and create the change you want to see. It might not be as easy as I have described, but I know that with time, people will get used to it. You don’t have to be a slave to your past; it is what it is—the past.
Written By Damilola Oluwadahun
Image Credit- Freepik
Thank you for this gentle reminder.
My pleasure. Thanks for engaging
This post reminds me of the fact that I may have been a part of vote buying in the past. Although it was an SUG election in my school, I don’t know if it actually was vote buying, but I remember I was given a list of students to tick their names as they vote then.
Today, I strongly stand against vote buying and vote inducement. I have moved from my past.
It’s the way to go. If we all hold on to our past, we will never make progress neither are we going to be able to fully navigate the present.