"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." - a quote often credited to Dr. Seuss

I think this is probably one of the more difficult quotes for me to grasp. I do understand what it means, but, no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to make myself do what the quote says.

Basically, good memories depress me because they are merely memories. Bad memories, on the other hand, do not usually make me feel this way for the same reason: they are only memories. For me, the quote should read "Don't cry because it happened; smile because it's over." Very rarely will I cry over something that happened in the past.

"Don't live in the past," people tell me.

"I don't," I reply.

"I have no regrets;

I don't dwell on the mistakes

of myself or others.

So what seems to be the problem?"

"You are most certainly right;

You don't dwell on the negative,

But you dwell on the positive,

Which can be just as bad.

Let me explain," they say,

"For the good memories

have all but faded away,

but you find yourself crying

in the midst of all the photos and letters.

Don't cry because it's over;

smile because it happened."

- Allison Gossage (2010)