In my view, you can't go to the future if you haven't come from

"In my view, you can't go to the future if you haven't come from the past." These words, spoken by Iris Apfel, are a profound reflection on the intertwined relationship between the past and the future. In this statement lies a deep truth, one that transcends time and space, echoing through the ages like the wisdom of the ancients. It speaks to the very essence of human existence: that without understanding and honoring the journey that has led us to where we stand today, we cannot truly move forward. The past is not just a series of events that have come and gone; it is the foundation upon which we build our futures.

Consider the way of the ancients: the great civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome did not rise to power and greatness on the strength of blind ambition alone. They were shaped by the lessons of their forebears, the wisdom passed down through generations. Socrates did not seek to create a philosophy in isolation; rather, he stood on the shoulders of those who came before him, drawing on the insights of the earlier thinkers. And it was not only in philosophy that this principle held true—it was in art, architecture, and society itself. The grand temples of Greece were inspired by the structures of Egypt; Roman law borrowed from the foundations laid by the Greeks. The future was built upon the lessons and experiences of the past.

Iris Apfel's quote serves as a reminder of the importance of history, not just as a study of dates and events, but as a guide for personal growth and evolution. The future is often seen as a realm of limitless possibility, a place where dreams can come true and ambitions can be realized. Yet, if we are to navigate this vast unknown, we must first know where we are coming from. The past provides the roadmap, the lessons, and the experiences that inform the choices we make in the present. Without it, we are adrift in a sea of uncertainty, unable to find our bearings.

The story of Nelson Mandela offers a powerful example of how the past shapes the future. Born into the system of apartheid in South Africa, Mandela’s journey was shaped by the history of his people—the oppression, the struggle, and the fight for justice. His resolve to change the future of his country was not born from a vacuum; it was deeply rooted in the legacy of those who had fought before him. He did not simply seek to erase the past, but to transform it, to build a future based on the lessons learned from the past. His leadership was not only a reflection of his personal vision but a manifestation of the enduring power of history and culture in shaping the present and future.

In this same way, the lessons of our personal pasts are integral to our future endeavors. How often do we hear the wisdom that mistakes are opportunities to learn? How often is it said that suffering and struggle can be the very things that shape our greatest achievements? The past is not simply a series of failures or victories to be forgotten; it is the well from which we draw the strength, knowledge, and wisdom to face the challenges of tomorrow. Without the understanding of who we have been, we cannot fully appreciate who we are or who we can become.

Iris Apfel’s words ask us to embrace the legacy of the past while also casting our gaze forward. The journey toward the future does not exist in a vacuum, separate from the events that have shaped us. Every triumph and every failure, every loss and every gain, builds upon itself to prepare us for what is to come. The future is not a blank slate waiting to be filled; it is a continuation of a story that has been unfolding since the dawn of time. To understand it, we must first understand the chapters that have come before.

The practical lesson here is clear: embrace your history, both personal and collective, as you move forward in life. Let the wisdom of your experiences—your successes and failures, your triumphs and heartaches—guide you as you shape your future. Seek not to escape the past, but to learn from it and honor it. Every step you take into the future must be anchored in the lessons of the past, for it is these lessons that will give you the strength to move forward with purpose and clarity. Just as the ancients built their empires on the foundations laid by their forefathers, so too must we build our futures with a deep respect for the past.

So, as you move through life, remember the wisdom of Iris Apfel: you cannot walk into the future without first acknowledging the road that has brought you here. Let the past be your guide, your teacher, and your strength, for only through understanding it can you truly step into the future with purpose, vision, and grace.