The smell of an orange was all it took, and Joan went into a frenzy, fuddled images of the past threatened to overwhelmed her. She hurried past startled pedestrians, mistakenly knocking over a bent old man walking with difficulty. She apologised profusely, quickening her pace. When she got home, she locked her flat securely and collapsed on the sofa, her breathing coming in quick, short gasps.
Twenty minutes later, Joan trudged to her bedroom, calmer but still trying to blot out the images in her head but the incessant rain falling with such vengeance only aggravated her over active imagination. The vivid memory of the trip to Lancashire and her sister’s disappearance was over twenty years ago, yet, a whiff of scent and she was back where she started.
How would she be able to escape the horror of her past? It was a rhetoric question to which she expected no answer.
********
”Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
Bill Keane.
The above story is not the norm but sometimes we seemed locked with the negative memories of our past. It should be noted that not all memories are negative, nevertheless, living in the past in not always healthy, especially, if there’s no lessons learnt on past events. Dwelling on our past mistakes could drag us into the quagmire of depression. Someone once said ‘tomorrow is a mystery to be unravelled’ and I agree. I hope we would all have reasons to look forward to the future and enjoy our present.
Enjoy the rest of this week my friends and have a wonderful weekend!
Much love, always! 🙂
Seyi David.
Seyi Sandra David 
Tomorrow is always another day, and if you make it you will surely find another way.
You’re right, as long as there is life, tomorrow is always a better day! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Not a problem. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! 🙂
A great story with a fantastic message Seyi. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Thanks Al, I hope yours would be fabulous too! 🙂
That’s the truth Seyi! Funny how triggers work. And a fine example. It can be anything really. A scent, a sight, a sound, the texture of something your hand brushed, the taste of something as subtle as a mild spice on the tongue. That’s why I get so “up in arms” when people insist that books should have trigger warnings. It’s ridiculous to me. Not that I don’t have empathy. I was once a psych nurse. I just think it is overkill for an unrealistic outcome.
I’m glad you agreed. And you’re right, skidding tyres, rains splattering on the sidewalk, even sounds as mundane as a car horning can transport us to the past, but books having trigger warning? That’s downright ludicrous! I would take up arms too! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my friend!
Blessings. 🙂
”Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” – Bill Keane.
Very true but many ignore the present, take it for granted – until it’s too late.
Peace,
Eric
I agree, the present is very special, if lived well, there won’t be need for regrets tomorrow. I appreciate your visit Eric.
Blessings. 🙂
Fantastic story with a very important lesson. Lessons can be learnt from the past but the present and future should hold more sway. Nice to see you writing again Seyi! 🙂
Christy Nelson.
Thanks for your constant visits and encouragements, I appreciate it. I believe the present and future are more important, like you said, the past shouldn’t constitute how we live today!
Hope to see you again Christy!
Blessings. 🙂
My pleasure Seyi. Take care of yourself!!
Heute Donnerstag die Zeit sie rast so schnell dahin, und die Tage fliegen nur so drum geniesse die Zeit und sei ganz lieb gegrüßt und wünsche dir alles liebe Klaus
Thanks for your visit and kind comment Klaus.
Blessings. 🙂
A good lesson to keep in mind, Seyi. To many live in the past, as if they could change it by imagining a different ending to the story. And to think of all the time in the present they’re wasting by doing so.
You’re right Ronnie, the present is so precious, many people waste it on living in the past. I appreciate your visit my friend!
Blessings.
You enjoy it also!
It’s interesting how certain scents can trigger a memory.
Living in the past sure can halt living in the now. Great message.
{Hugs}
Thanks Rosy, glad you like it!
🙂
I thought that was a fine story in the making my dear. Develop it. 🙂 And thanks for the message! 🙂
I would Celestine, it’s a psychological thriller. Thanks for the visit my dear friend!
🙂
The human mind is a funny thing, dwelling on the bad yet usually dismissing the good…it does us all good to tell ourselves that we can do things, we can move on.]
What I want to know though is if you intend to clue us into more of Joan’s story?
I would be expanding the story Ste J. It’s a psychological thriller, I’m glad you like it! Glad you stopped by too! 🙂
A gripping story with so much relevance. Certain events in our past are etched in our minds like tattoos. Those ones that leave us with feelings of regret or pain should not be dwelt on. We can’t live in the past; we have to move on. I love the logic behind the quote that accompanies this post–today is a gift and that’s why it’s called the present.
Glad you like the story and the quote. Life moves at a breakneck speed sometimes and living in the past would leave us stranded in the present! I appreciate your visit my brother!
Blessings. 🙂
This is definitely great advice. Memories like to invade at the most in-convene times.
It does Kim! I’m grateful you stopped by my friend! 🙂
Good reading. Thank you Seyi 🙂