Chaplain's Spot
Drawing a line under the past
Remembrance Day is held on November 11th each year. It marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front in 1918. It is a solemn reminder of the cost of peace, and of the courage shown by generations of Australia in its pursuit.
Remembering helps us honour people who wanted to keep the freedom we enjoy in Australia. Many of them died during World War One. There was also a second world war, and there have been wars around the world ever since. However, I am sure that most people would love all people to live in peace, and to ‘draw a line’ under these wars, to never experience them again.
Drawing a line under the past means to decide to stop thinking or talking about something, or to stop something from continuing, and consider it finished:
There comes a time to draw a line under your failures, or disappointments and move on.
To "draw a line under the past" means to consider it finished and move on, which can be done mentally by accepting the end of a period and focusing on the future. It's a metaphor for consciously deciding to let go of past events, failures, or difficult situations to start fresh and move forward more productively.
How often do we hear ‘I’ll never forgive you!’. Perhaps we have even said this, in frustration or anger, maybe several times over the years. Sometimes when I have been meeting with a student, they refer to something another child said or did ‘back in Prep’, years previously.
Unforgiveness can have a devastating impact. It can eat us up inside, until we explode with unhappiness.
On a personal level, I ‘lost’ 6 months of friendship with my best friend back in 1976-77, due to a misunderstanding. It made me very unhappy, and it meant that neither of us were in each other’s bridal party for our weddings. It became such an issue for me that I had to speak with him. I told him that I wasn’t sure what had happened, but I wanted to sort it out, so we could be friends again. We talked it through, and discovered what had caused the rift in our relationship. I am very thankful that we talked, and restored our friendship.
We had a lot of fun before things went bad, and when our friendship had been renewed, we were both thankful that we could again be strong friends.
I wonder if there is something that you are ‘holding on to’, that needs to be relinquished, let go. Perhaps there is something that someone did that made life tough for you, that you don’t need to carry anymore. I know from experience how free and unburdened we can feel, when we ‘draw a line’ under that experience.
It may be something that you can talk through with the person involved, and it might bring healing of that relationship. On the other hand, it may not be possible to meet with them, or they may not be open to talking. However, for our own benefit, we can move on from such an experience, and live without that burden.
I encourage you to ‘take courage’ and make a choice to move on from the past that holds you back, and seek a fresh perspective in relationships and in your sense of worth, and freedom to live to your potential.
Community wellbeing:
Toast Tuesday: This free breakfast program runs before school in the SPC, open to all. Woolies Eastland helps support this weekly program with our toast spreads.
The link to the roster is volunteersignup.org/HYYEX
Baker Delight goods: We are thankful to Bakers Delight Heathmont, for their generous provision of loaves for Toast Tuesday. If your family would appreciate regular bread or rolls, please email me below, or see me at school.
Second-hand uniforms: If you need any uniforms, we have a large supply of second-hand items in good condition available. Gold coins are all you need. Feel free to email me, or check us out at Toast Tuesday.
Contact: Feel free to contact me at any time, if you would like to talk with me about the above, or anything affecting your family. I can meet with students once, and for any further contact we ask parents/guardians to sign a Consent Form for an ongoing connection. If you would like a form, I can send one home or email one to you.
Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday & Friday]
[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]
Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing.
Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.
