"إذا حككت الماضي فلن يلتئم"

Dwelling on the past can prevent you from moving forward and finding peace. Think about a wound. If you keep scratching at it, it’s never going to heal properly—it’ll just get worse and possibly leave a scar. The same principle applies to our experiences and memories. Constantly revisiting and rehashing old hurts, regrets, or mistakes only keeps the pain fresh. Instead of healing, you’re stuck in a cycle of reliving those moments, preventing yourself from fully living in the present.

Let’s put this in context. Imagine someone who went through a tough breakup years ago. Every time they see their ex’s picture or hear their name, they rehash all the bad feelings and what-ifs. Instead of moving on and opening up to new relationships, they’re stuck in that past pain, scratching at it until it bleeds emotional turmoil. They can’t heal because they won’t let the past go. This quote is a reminder that holding onto past grievances, mistakes, or grief can prevent us from healing and finding happiness in the present.

Take the story of Jane, a friend of mine. She used to be a competitive athlete, but she had a major injury that ended her career prematurely. For years, she kept replaying the moment she got injured, thinking about what she could’ve done differently, wishing she could change the past. She stopped playing sports altogether and wouldn’t even go to games because it reminded her of what she’d lost. It wasn't until she realized she was only prolonging her pain by "itching" at it that she could move forward. Jane decided to channel her love for sports into coaching. She found a new passion and a way to stay connected to what she loved, but it required letting go of the past.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by acknowledging your past—don’t ignore it, but don’t let it control you. Have you ever tried meditation or mindfulness? These practices can help you stay focused on the present moment. If you catch yourself dwelling on old memories, gently bring your thoughts back to what’s happening now. It might help to talk to someone you trust about your feelings, or even write them down in a journal. Sometimes, getting those thoughts out can be the first step in letting them go.

Let’s say you’re having a hard time at work because of a mistake you made months ago. Every time you start a new project, you remember that mistake and get anxious. Instead, try to learn from it and then let it be. Remind yourself: "I’ve learned my lesson; it’s time to move on." Focus on what you’re doing now and how you can do it well. It’s about giving yourself permission to heal.

Imagine you’re chatting with a friend. They’re stuck on something that happened in college—a failed class, perhaps. You can see it’s holding them back from trying new things because they’re afraid they’ll fail again. Tell them, "Hey, you’re not that person anymore. You’ve grown. Give yourself a break and focus on who you are now, not who you were then." By letting go, you’re not forgetting the past—you’re just choosing not to let it define you anymore.

Life’s too short to keep scratching at old wounds. It’s time to let them heal.