Does looking back give us a second thought?
Does looking back prevent us from doing what we should?
2007-07-30 20:55:42 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Pretend you life is a road trip.
Does a rear view mirror obstruct your view? Not Really.
Does using it make you a better driver? Yes.
Should you stare at it continuously? No.
2007-07-30 21:19:31 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix Quill 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Retrospection is valuable when not in excess, nor in judgment--as in--"I wish I hadn't done that, I wish I'd done that, I made the wrong choice, I made the right choice, I regret..." With a free flowing mind (& feelings) all past experiences form a pattern of perfect harmony. Something we might have felt was a mistake at some point in time, if tracked to the present often reveals positive consequences. I don't consider this "second thoughts," but more as the constant evolution of self--something like a painting in progress. As to looking back in order to "learn lessons," we should already have done that by "now." Our present IS our past; our future is fanciful & unpredictable. Yet we still, literally "live" in the moment. The only dangers or obstructions would be to dwell on the past, critique, relive pain, wish to go back & make changes. Even if we "could" make changes, there's no way we could ever how those changes would have totally changed our lives. That's almost like saying, "Who would I be if I weren't me?" Rather philosophically unsound, you think?
2007-07-31 15:11:31 · answer #2 · answered by Psychic Cat 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have found that looking back accomplishes one thing in particular, it gives us a chance to see where we went wrong and maybe change any actions of ours to correct within the self so as not to do it again.
It is not easy to look back and change, for man is an animal that's habits are extremely hard to change and most of us don't want to really take the time and energy that is involved.
However, I have always found that looking back all the time only trips you up and cause you to fail to see what is before you, kind of like driving down the road at 60 miles an hour and looking into the rear view mirror while driving forward. One eventual is going to crash. Look back only to correct for the future...
2007-07-31 21:56:31 · answer #3 · answered by kickinupfunf 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that looking back can be very obstructive in many aspects because if we have gone through hardships, with some as of time in our lives, than one day look back it can hold us back from what we could potentially do in this time right here and now.
I also believe that it is a matter of what we are looking back at. When it is times of happiness in our lives it can always put some kind of positive thoughts within us.
2007-07-31 04:17:38 · answer #4 · answered by white_painted_lady 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
really good books and movies I like to watch again. I watched a good movie I hadn't seen for years. "meatballs"
I caught nuances that I missed when I was younger. I enjoyed it at least as much as my daughter did.
Make time to learn. and reviewing can teach new things.
Looking back reveals truths that were covered from the front.
If looking back obstructed our moving forward, cars would not have rear view mirrors.
2007-07-31 10:59:38 · answer #5 · answered by Dr weasel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
looking back reminds us of the mistakes we made or the good times we had. It is a way of guideing us for the future.
Our lives are like a timeline that begins at birth and ends when we die. All we have is the present. We can't change the past and we can't accurately predict the future, but all three (past present future) are on the same line.
Thinking about the past is the same as thinking about the future, they are both unclear and ambiguous. We should approach the future with wisdom from our past not with regrets. The direction in which our future line heads depends on how we react in the present, guided by our interpretation of experiences from the past.
probably.
2007-07-31 06:30:21 · answer #6 · answered by marccat80 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Oh Ashley, Ashley, don't look back. It'll tear at your heart till you can't do anything but look back." Scarlett O'Hara...
Actually looking back periodically to see what you've left in your wake is a good idea. We all know people who barrel through life never acknowledging the havoc they've left behind them. It's good to look back for self-evaluation and course correction. But you have to MOSTLY keep your eyes on the future.
The rear-view mirror analogy that an earlier answerer gave is very apt.
2007-07-31 05:59:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't spend much time "looking back," unless, for some reason, I need to measure/gauge some sort of progress.
I try to live pretty much in the present, although I'm responsible enough to take common measures that involve the future (insurance, etc.).
2007-07-31 09:04:11 · answer #8 · answered by John Doe 1st 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why look back for when u can use that time to think forward even if its happy to think back but looking forward can creat new meaning.
whats the meaning of possitive thinker so is it ok to think negatively?.... i dont think negative thoughts are wise thinker.
i guest having history is not a bad idear but it also can have a bad idea true soo looking back theres both bad and good.
i rather think forward and be possitive if i can do that because theres nothing bad. where thinking back has bad and good.
2007-07-31 04:18:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
looking back is necessary and gives us a second opinion of ourselves however deciding to stay back there and even make a camp back there is obstructing and selfdestructive
2007-07-31 04:10:35 · answer #10 · answered by ladyluck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋