What Does History Require of Us?
What Does History Require of Us? Recently as I traveled through a rich historical area, I was fascinated and a bit overwhelmed by the amount of history surrounding me. I found my mind wanting to absorb and understand how these pieces of our past were connected to each other and me. As I considered what is required for enhanced mental health, I found both acknowledgement and acceptance of our history as essential elements to healing. Acknowledgment . We have heard the adage many times that we cannot change what we do not acknowledge. We are not required to agree that what we have experienced is just, deserved, or appropriate; however, it does require recognition as a part of our history. Instead of hiding, denying, or ignoring our experiences, we need to give a nod to the part our past has had a role to play in arriving in our present day. This may require setting aside time to identify what we have been exposed to or have experienced throughout our lives. It may require us to con...