Remember the Blessings, Release the Wounds

“Write your injuries in dust and your benefits in marble.”

Not my words, but certainly one life-changing tip. These words are attributed to a great American thinker, scholar, and statesman from a couple of centuries ago. They beautifully capture the essence of what we now call positive psychology.

This doesn’t mean we should erase or deny painful experiences. Reflect on them, learn the lesson they offer, and then move on. You may revisit them occasionally—not to relive the pain, but to refresh the wisdom you gained. An injury should not be allowed to make a permanent home in the mind. That’s no good. No use. The past has passed.

Writing your benefits in marble, on the other hand, means preserving positive experiences in lasting memory. It nurtures gratitude, one of the cornerstones of positive psychology. Gratitude has been shown to reduce stress hormones, activate the brain’s reward centres thus contributing to greater emotional well-being.

So, let life’s hurts be written in dust, where time and the winds will heal them. Let its blessings be carved in marble, where they can continue to inspire and strengthen you.

Pro tip: Revisit your happy moments often. They are good for your health.