If there’s one thing that seems to hold us back from achieving our goals, it’s our habit of spending too much time thinking about the past. Whether it’s beating ourselves up about past mistakes or using past experiences as proof of what’s to come in the future; it doesn’t serve us. Just like spending too much time looking in the rearview mirror while driving can mean we’ll miss our next exit, focusing on the past can lead to us missing out on opportunities to change our lives in significant ways.
To be honest I think that we’re missing out on more than just the realization of our goals. I believe that the inability to let go of the past holds us back from achieving true happiness. I don’t know why we do it. Our infatuation with the past is undeniable. So is the fact that living there doesn’t help us get anywhere different in the future. Yet, for some reason, many of us have such a hard tie letting go.
We can’t forget the past. We can’t change it either. If we want to move forward in a positive and productive way, we need to use it as a source of wisdom. When we find the lesson in our past experiences, we can use that knowledge to make wiser, more empowered decisions. The rearview mirror isn’t there for us to see what we’ve already driven past; it’s there to give us an idea of what’s approaching from behind.
Like I said at the start of this post – if we spend too much time gazing into the rearview mirror, we might miss an exit up ahead. That’s not the only concern though, is it? We could get into an accident because we weren’t paying attention to what really mattered; what’s going on in front of us! It’s important that we remember to focus on the important things. Most of us beat ourselves up enough about the things we could have and should have done. We don’t need to be kicking ourselves for spending too much time and energy on things that have already been said or done.
If we want to make positive changes in our lives we have to spend our time and energy on the things we have the power to change. When we accept the past for what it is and focus on changing the things within our control, we find that we accomplish more and stress less. Isn’t that what we’re all striving for – a fulfilled, stress-free, happy life?
Use that rearview mirror as is necessary. Take the lessons from your past to create a better future. Remember that the things you used to do don’t define you. What you choose to do today and from this point moving forward can shift things in ways you never imagined possible!
Where will you choose to put your focus? ♥