Sometimes I wish I could go back and tell myself what I know now.
Some say remembering is pointless. What’s past is past. In terms of present activity and effort, by and large that’s true. Yet I believe if I don’t attach value to, and learn from, past experiences it’s a sure cinch I’ll see ’em again.
If pleasant, no problem. Right? “You betcha, Lord. I’d love another helping of that!” Seems like, though, that most of the time when something’s repeated in my life, it’s not a warm and fuzzy sensation. It’s rough, jagged and tear-filled. And I catch myself whining . . .
“Hey, God? Any chance we could, um, lighten up on the not-so-wonderful stuff? I didn’t have a real good showing, there, and would just soon not revisit that.”
To which an ever-so-faithful God murmurs, “I know. Just as I know you’d like a new start with lots of sunshine, contrails of somebody going somewhere and the sheer joy of convertible hair.” Of course I’m eagerly nodding.
I’d prefer that. So would you. Truth? A new year, new month, new week, new day or a new beginning of any kind means absolutely nothing – zip – if you’re still in love with your comfort zone.
More truth? I don’t change unless it inconveniences me more to stay as I am. We’re all that way.
Know what I’ve found? What God chooses for me, and when, is far better than anything I could come up with on my own. His time is always-always-always flawlessly perfect – oxymoron, perhaps? – and the truth is that I can’t be productive in my ‘now’ and therefore master my future if I’m still a slave to my past.
A new year, new month, new week, new day or a new beginning of any kind means absolutely nothing – zip – if you’re still in love with your comfort zone.
You can’t, either. You, friend, can’t be productive in your ‘now’ and therefore master your future if you’re still a slave to your past.
Both you and I need to forestall ‘living’ through endless loops of past experiences, rekicking our own sterns for foibles and mistakes, the records of which have long since yellowed, are faded and peeling.
Learn from the past. Adamantly refuse to live there.
Focus on today, right here, right now. And as you do, recall similar situations previously faced and consider how to apply what you’ve learned in the meantime.
Somebody named Anonymous says, “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are. To which I add: and if they’re a real friend, they’re going to encourage you to be becoming the very best ‘you’ that you can.
If you’re doing that and I’m doing that, we’re both going to be bettering wherever we happen to be, and encouraging whomever we’re around.
Can’t touch ‘at!
© D. Dean Boone, March 2015