Attitude Toward The Past

My Wife and I were driving back to Dallas this weekend after visiting our Daughter at college. On the radio, the DJ said she saw a quote on Pinterest she had to share. It said:

"If your past calls, don't answer. It has nothing new to say."

I couldn't agree more! So many people choose various ways to deal with their past.

There are those who live in the past because they feel their best days are behind them. They relive the same victories over and over as if they just happened today. How sad to focus on their "Glory Days" as Bruce Springsteen called them. We all have victories and great memories from high school or college. It's good to remember good times but, for some, it can be all-consuming and they are unable to enjoy the present because, in their minds, it can never live up to the "good old days."

Then there are those haunted by their past. Disappointments, failures, traumatic events that keep them from being able to enjoy their present and have a hope for the future. Zig Ziglar gave us this great quote:

"Yesterday ended last night. Today is a brand new day and it's yours."

I believe the most powerful approach to take regarding the past is to let it be a teacher. Whether great victories or terrible defeats, the most important step to take is to learn from everything that has happened and apply the lessons learned to today.

It's amazing how much we can learn from past experiences. By applying what we've learned, we become more enabled and exponentially increase our likelihood of success today!

Don't live in the past! Use your previous successes to propel you further today.

Don't let your past keep you from achieving all you can today! The past is not an anchor, it's a teacher. Properly applied, with the correct amount of importance, your past mistakes and disappointments can be tremendously helpful.

You must develop the proper attitude toward the past!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28