What Really Is "Baggage"??? (27)

I agree. Everyone has baggage, some to a greater and others to a lesser extent. But, if they are stopping you moving forward this is excess baggage. After all, we all have a past, it should be the future that counts!

Well said...

Would be scary to meet people who don't have "baggage"......

Shyatfirst, (Angela?) makes a good point: who really doesn't have baggage to some degree? In our ever changing lives new crises occur and challenge us to deal with them and to "remove" the baggage; past issues rear their ugly heads when we thought they were gone.

After taking years to deal with my own skeletons I like look at it this way:

Closing the door on the past or repressing memories is a dangerous route as no matter what, triggers will occur that will open that door again. It will happen, and dealing with the issue down the road will only be harder than if dealt with at the time.

Take that baggage then, reflect upon it and learn from it. We have the ability to grow and become a better person by realizing that events cannot be changed but there is always some way to learn and grow from them.

I can honestly say, that some of the best years of my life were those spent clawing my way back from the depths for they have changed my outlook on life and more importantly my outlook of myself.

The door can be kept open then, to reflect on the positive changes that have occured from the past rather than dwelling on the "what if's".

I once heard it said that it's not the baggage but how it is carried.

I sincerely hope that I haven't been too profound for a somewhat new poster to this site...

Anything from your past that hinders you in having a future you desire.

Many people have " no baggage " listed in profiles, however, if they have no baggage themselves, they obviously have not been living life as we know it on this planet.

Emotional-lingering feelings left over from the last or past relationships with other partners. This does not mean that a new partner must be totally void of feelings from the past, just not using those feelings as a means of entering into a new relationship. ( jealousy, vendictive or using new unguided emotional attachment out of need )

Financial-bills, credit cards, mortgages, business ventures and alimony/child support. Most marriages will end with some or all of these financial attachments.

A child is not a BAG !

Just a few notes from the mind of Cat.

"A child is not a BAG !"

I know a newly married woman who would not agree with you...

nice one Bob

...." once heard it said that it's not the baggage but how it is carried."...

I like that...

Well put!

I don't necessarily agree that emotional upheavals would be the "best years" of my life, but I kind of see what you're saying. The last time I had my heart broken was the worst ever and I don't regret having those feelings because it still makes you feel something instead of having felt nothing at all. It certainly makes life interesting at times.

This topic reminds me of the tale I pinned to my bulletin board of an old Cherokee telling his grandson about the two wolves who battle within all people.
One is evil and full of anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, resentment, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, false pride, lies, superiority, and ego.
The other is good and full of joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
When the grandson asks which wolf wins, the old Cherokee replies, "The one you feed."

I think the baggage we carry only shows when the evil wolf is winning.