Who said not to look at the past? The successes of the past can give us encouragement or examples to make improvement on. The failures of the past are exactly what gives us examples to learn from and experience. The blank spaces of the past are exactly what gives us encouragement to exert ourselves to compensate for it.

The present is so real: it’s suffering─you are currently being tormented. It’s happiness─you are currently enjoying it. But, do not be knocked down by suffering, nor be intoxicated by joy. Be aware that the present moment is brief, over in the blink of an eye. No matter how bitter the hardship, the torment shall pass. We ought to be proud and rejoice that we’ve walked through a difficult and dangerous journey. No matter how grand the happiness, the enjoyment shall pass. We ought to be glad and cherish the part of the journey, because we never know what tomorrow will bring.

On the journey of life, there are wide open roads, as well as small wooden bridges. Do not be envious of those who walk on open roads, and do not mock those who walk on small wooden bridges. Only those who experience it themselves would understand the flavor of life. When it happens to you, you can only accept it, without running away.

── from Dai Hua, Dai Hua
(Foolish Art, Foolish Talk)