Everyone one has a past… literally. If you have been on this earth for any length of time, you will have a past. We live in a linear way so that as time progresses, it leaves a trail that we call the past. When we typically speak about someone having a “past,” however, we are speaking about key life events that have occurred. We’re referring to personal relationships they had, occupations they engaged in, or traumatic events they experienced. Of course, sometimes we also use the term to refer to life’s successes and accomplishments. The importance of the past is that the events of our past shape us. They influence who we are today. This process of shaping is meant to be dynamic, continuous, and always evolving. Journaling can reflect this.