Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Discuss the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes.

To post in this forum, you must buy and read the book. After buying the book, please upload a screenshot of your receipt or proof or purchase via OnlineBookClub. Once the moderators approve your purchase at OnlineBookClub, you will then also automatically be given access to post in this forum.
Forum rules
This forum is for discussing the book In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All. Anyone can view the forum and read the post, but only people who purchased the book can post in the forum.

If your purchase has not already been verified (i.e. if you don't already have access to post in this forum), then please upload a screenshot of your receipt or proof or purchase via OnlineBookClub. Once the moderators approve your purchase at OnlineBookClub, you will then also automatically be given access to post in this forum.
Lydia Matson
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: January 17th, 2023, 5:44 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Lydia Matson »

Scott wrote: December 15th, 2022, 3:12 pm This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


I don't know who needs to hear this, but...

Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

We could rewind and replay the past a million times. It would happen the exact same way every single time.

Accept the past, and find peace by letting go of this illusion.
This is a very encouraging statement. I think it is debatable whether or not things could have had a different outcome due to different factors, but dwelling on that is not productive and hinders us from personal growth.
AkshiP
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:16 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by AkshiP »

I agree with this statement. Too often people spend their time and energy fixating on what could've been instead of focusing on what can be.
Shillah Andeso
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:16 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Shillah Andeso »

This is the best thing I've read today. I now reflect on my actions and realize that even if I get another chance, I might make mistakes that I'll regret. It is good to understand that things had to happen in a certain way for a reason and live in the present.
ilze herholdt
Premium Member
Posts: 13
Joined: December 15th, 2022, 1:41 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by ilze herholdt »

Even if you can somehow go back into the past it will anyway have the exact same outcome because you will still be stuck with the same knowledge you were back then. Therefore , not changing your actions and doing the exact same thing. People will always linger on the what if's because they always seek something better than what they currently have.
trevorlando
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: January 17th, 2023, 5:44 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by trevorlando »

I thoroughly enjoyed these sort of aspects that were involved with the book. This book makes it easy for individuals to make the jump towards self re-discovery and pushes you towards a more personal and vulnerable spot. Although everyone knows that you can not change the past, considering we have no kind of real time machine yet, most people try and push these factors away. Quotes in the book made it easier to interact with and ponder concepts like these. The words here, make hard-to-reach concepts a little easier to fathom.
Joannasbookshelf
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: January 17th, 2023, 5:44 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Joannasbookshelf »

This is such a challenging concept to wrap my head around. I always think that had I done X different, then Y would be different as well. Definitely something to remember!
book+lover-people
Premium Member
Posts: 6
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:16 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by book+lover-people »

The quoted text made me think about how people dwell on things. You look back in time from where you sit now, only now you are a different person than you were then. If you knew now what you knew then, of course, you would've made different decisions. You shouldn't judge your past self for their mistakes by who you are now; after all, you were a different person when you made those mistakes.
Owuamanam Eberechukwu
Premium Member
Posts: 11
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:23 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Owuamanam Eberechukwu »

If we live under the guise that we cannot change the past, we limit our abilities. We are accepting defeat, and we are not ready to learn or even strive. From childhood, we have always struggled and would need to keep working to make ends meet. Things could have been different if you handled the case differently, if you behaved differently, if you prayed more, and given your best. We are not victims of fate but still have willpower. This discussion would definitely lead to Augustine's argument on "fate" and "free will." The ideas are sacrosanct to the author and presenter, and I totally respect them. More so, viewing it from the perspective of not allowing the past to hold you down it is excellent teaching, but flipping the coin, can trigger weakness, defeat, and possible laziness.
Hellen Muriithi
Premium Member
Posts: 12
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:16 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Hellen Muriithi »

I live by the moment, that is, I take one day at a time. In essence, I accept the fact that I can do nothing about what happened in the past and can only do something about my reactions to what happened. That is, choosing to dwell in regrets about events that happened in the past would only affect my ability to live in the present.
abstactlemon
Premium Member
Posts: 21
Joined: January 17th, 2023, 5:44 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by abstactlemon »

I agree. It could be the same a million times, it could be a million different variations. But dwelling on that won’t change the fact that it happened the way it did. It’s good to learn from the past, but don’t let it dictate the present.
Stephanie_Chapman
Premium Member
Posts: 1
Joined: January 17th, 2023, 5:43 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Stephanie_Chapman »

I have come to the conclusion the things in my past are what made me who I am today. I can't change anything in the past, and I can't predict the future, but I can do something about it right now. What I do right now is exactly what I choose to do.
Tara D Morgan
Premium Member
Posts: 9
Joined: November 3rd, 2022, 10:16 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Tara D Morgan »

Live for today as yesterday has already happened and tomorrow will only ever be a figment of your imagination!
ReviewsByChristine
Premium Member
Posts: 12
Joined: March 1st, 2023, 10:26 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by ReviewsByChristine »

This was one of the most important lessons in life I learned from my father, in the months after his own father passed away. He spent months grieving and building an addition to our house to keep busy. His final conclusion after months of reflection what that there is no winner in the what ifs game. You can play it in your head forever, but it won't change anything. In playing the what if game you are taking mental energy away from more positive pursuits.

Scott wrote: December 15th, 2022, 3:12 pm This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


I don't know who needs to hear this, but...

Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

We could rewind and replay the past a million times. It would happen the exact same way every single time.

Accept the past, and find peace by letting go of this illusion.




---
Image
Chris Alex Powell
Premium Member
Posts: 10
Joined: December 15th, 2022, 1:41 pm

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Chris Alex Powell »

I totally agree. Not letting go means clinging to the past. If we are unable to let go of incidents that occurred in the past, we cannot move forward. This does not in any way imply that we cannot fight to regain possession of what was wrongfully taken from us. However, this should only be done where there are steps taken that could help us reclaim our position. Merely sitting down and wondering how things could have been different can not help. We should instead work towards the future.
User avatar
Jack King 2
Premium Member
Posts: 12
Joined: March 3rd, 2023, 7:41 am

Re: Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

Post by Jack King 2 »

Scott wrote: December 15th, 2022, 3:12 pm This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.


I don't know who needs to hear this, but...

Let go of the illusion that it could have been any different.

We could rewind and replay the past a million times. It would happen the exact same way every single time.

Accept the past, and find peace by letting go of this illusion.




---
Image
I agree to a degree. Focusing on the past makes it different to move forward and focus on the present and the future. That said there is something to be learned from our past mistakes to stop them happening again.
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All" by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021