Letting things go

Several of the people I graduated with in high school are also recent facebook contacts. I am quite curious about what they look and how they think at present, and to discover what they did with their lives during these ten years. Nothing strange about this. However, in some cases I have noticed that some of them react and behave (say, by commenting on pictures) exactly with the same spirit and expressions as they did ten years ago. I find that a bit disturbing. It could appear as if they were appealing to memories of the past to compensate something that's missing now; I hope I am mistaken. It's like they were pretending that time hasn't passed, that we all are still the same. And that's not the case, independently of whether they/we accept it or not.

All of this got me thinking. Granted: it is human nature to be afraid of the uncertain future and to rely on the cozy memories of the past instead. In general, it is very difficult to let things go, to accept that a certain phase of our life has passed and that a new one is upon us. It happens with relationships (of all kinds), friendships, summer holidays, jobs, and many other things. It is certainly not about neglecting or ignoring the past, or denying that it was fun or enriching while it lasted, but about accepting that things change, that sooner or later every phase ends, and that one must move on. Needless to say, to let things go and move on is certainly easier said than done.