Look Back, But Keep Moving Forward

In the grand tapestry of life, the journey we traverse is a complex and profound one. The poem 'Looking Back' by Hu Cheng invites us to delve deep into the introspective realm of our past experiences, and the lessons they hold for our present and future.

Hu Cheng was born in Linhai, Zhejiang in 1962. Starting his poetic journey in 1997, he has published works like 'Two Kinds of Time' and currently resides in Hangzhou. His poem 'Looking Back' makes us ponder what kind of landscape our life's journey would paint if it were a tangible picture. We are led to wonder about the vastness of its boundaries, and which of the people we've met along the way have become dear friends, forged a good rapport, or remained mere strangers passing by. There are also those with whom we've had bitter feuds, memories too painful to revisit.

The poem states, 'The过客并没有过去 / 暗中所作亦昭然 / 一切都已上色 / 无法修改.' This vividly portrays how our past is like a painted canvas, with every event, every encounter, adding a stroke of color that cannot be erased. The good deeds and kind thoughts are the vibrant green patches, symbolizing growth and vitality, like the ever-growing plants. On the other hand, the ruins formed by our regrets and mistakes stand out starkly, a painful reminder of our missteps. In the unyielding flow of time, we find ourselves either trapped in the prison of our past, unable to break free, or we experience a sense of liberation, emerging into a state of joy and freedom.

Life is a series of experiences, a blend of people and events. In the vast ocean of humanity, our paths cross with countless others. The beautiful encounters, those serendipitous moments of connection, fill us with hope and anticipation for the unknown. They are like the warm rays of the sun, brightening our days and giving us a reason to look forward. Conversely, the inevitable partings, the heart-wrenching goodbyes, teach us the invaluable lesson of cherishing what we have in the present. Each person we meet, whether a close friend or a fleeting acquaintance, serves as a mirror, reflecting different aspects of our inner selves. Through these reflections, we establish a sense of order in our relationships, understanding who is close and who is distant, and enriching our perception of human connections.

When it comes to the events that shape our lives, we often find ourselves over-analyzing, constantly questioning whether they were right or wrong, good or bad. However, it's important to recognize that our understanding and ability to handle situations evolve with time. What seemed like earth-shattering issues in our youth may fade into insignificance as we grow older. Just as Huang Yongyu wrote in 'If I Live to Be a Hundred Years Old' when he was approaching his centenary, 'Love is so far away from me / Hatred is like a wisp of smoke / I know / Existence for me / Has long been irrelevant to others.' What once consumed our thoughts and emotions becomes nothing more than a distant memory, a faint echo of the past.

The key lies in how we perceive our past. We can't simply cut ourselves off from it, but we do have a choice in how we relate to it. Are we going to be held captive by the chains of regret and remorse, or will we rise above them and use our past as a stepping stone to greater heights? The decision is ours. If we're struggling to let go of a particular relationship, it might not be the person themselves that we can't part with, but rather the memories of that time and the love we once poured into it. We might be holding onto a false image of the other person, while in reality, they may not be as irreplaceable as we think. Similarly, if we claim that a certain wound is too deep to heal, it could be that we're repeatedly reopening the scar, allowing it to fester and keep us in a state of self-pity.

In the face of these challenges, we need to learn to be kind to ourselves. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of our past, we should let our hearts be a bit more resilient, filtering out the grudges and mistakes. We need to give ourselves permission to move on, to let go of the past and embrace the future with open arms. As Hu Cheng wrote in 'Reconciliation,' 'I have reached a reconciliation with all my experiences / All those I have failed and hurt / Please forgive me! All those who have hurt and failed me / I have forgotten. But I have not forgotten the love and companionship / Even if it was a harsh reminder, like the autumn frost / It has matured my soul / All the years have been a gift from above / I accept and sincerely thank!' This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of finding peace within ourselves.

Let's take a moment to reflect on our own lives. We've all had moments that we wish we could change, people we've lost along the way, and dreams that didn't quite come true. But these experiences have made us who we are today. They have shaped our character, taught us valuable lessons, and given us the strength to face whatever lies ahead.

Rather than being haunted by the ghosts of our past, we should use them as a source of inspiration. Let the memories of our failures motivate us to strive for success, and the pain of our losses remind us of the importance of love and connection. We are not defined by our past mistakes, but by our ability to learn from them and grow.

In conclusion, life is a continuous journey. We are all travelers on this path, carrying the weight of our past experiences. But we have the power to transform those experiences into something beautiful. We can look back, acknowledge the good and the bad, and then use that knowledge to move forward with purpose and determination. So, let us not be afraid to face our past, but rather embrace it as a part of our story, and use it as a guide to create a brighter future. Because in the end, the only thing that can truly hold us back is ourselves. If we have the courage to let go, to forgive, and to move on, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let us all strive to be like the phoenix, rising from the ashes of our past, reborn and ready to soar into a future filled with hope and possibility.