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Past / Prologue

Antonio:
We all were sea-swallow’d, though some cast again,
And by that destiny to perform an act
Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come
In yours and my discharge.

Shakespeare – The Tempest (Act 2 Scene 1)

I overheard this yesterday, of all places, in an episode of the Big Hero 6 series that my kids were watching.* I’d spotted other references from The Tempest in the show but missed this one, despite the line standing out a mile as a good one.

Some thoughts:

The line comes from the scheming Antonio, plotting to take control of the kingdom, but his point is sound…

  1. Right now, you are writing the prologue to some kind of future for you and for those around you. What kind? What changes of direction – large or small – might be worth making?
  2. If you think you’ve reached the peak (or nadir) of the comedy (or tragedy) that is your life, think again: what’s past is just the prologue.
  3. If you’re unhappy with the past, take heart: in truth “We all were sea-swallow’d… what [is] to come [is] in yours and my discharge.”

*Season 1, Episode 18, “Big Problem”

I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommended resources...

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