I’ve always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. People break up, friends distance themselves, you meet new friends and move to new environments. Everything comes with good timing. Everything leaves because of timing. Here are a couple reasons why (and how) you should keep looking forward instead of behind.
Like many people, I always find myself looking back and remembering my mistakes. I always wish I could go back and change things. Or I play the “what if” game and constantly question my life. If you’re one of these people, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. Well, guess what? This article is not about the past, it's about the future. It’s time that we as human beings stop looking back at our previous life and mistakes and start looking forward to what life has to offer.
Making goals is hard because you are constantly faced with the "can I really do this?" or, "this will never work." Well, part of looking to the future is having not just goals, but things to look forward to. Whether it is goals, plans, trips, or anything at all, try to give yourself something positive to look forward to. Yes, you shouldn’t always want to wish away your days because you should live in the moment, but in order to get through the tough moments of life, you need to look forward to what will be the good.
Remember, your past does not define you. Yes, you’ve heard that many times before, but you need to remember that we are all growing individuals. We make mistakes, we make choices, and we create lessons for ourselves. I am not one to talk about mistakes, because I have clearly made my fair share of them. But never once did I regret those decisions and mistakes I made. Yes, maybe in the moment I was upset that I made them, but I know that I have become wiser because of it. Every time you make a mistake, take it in, understand, learn, let it go, and don't make it again. Then after all that, move forward. Put it behind you and move on to the opportunities that life is giving you. Every day should be a new beginning; every day you have a choice of how you want to spend your day, and by living in the past you’re not starting a new beginning. So remember: let go.
Use the past to motivate your future. For all those times that you thought you couldn’t make it, for the times you thought that tomorrow was going to be just as worst as the day before. Use those times to motivate you. Times that motivate you to study hard, find a great spouse who meets your expectations, and work hard. Then one day, you won't have to have bad days anymore.
Create a life you imagine yourself living. You might think it’s hard because you probably imagine yourself living in a big mansion, married to the person of your dreams, having a lot of money, being perfect and happy. Well, guess what? Make it happen. Even though it’s years down the road, that doesn’t mean you can’t be creating the life you want now. The future brings so many unknown things that by starting now you can create that life you want. But instead of thinking so far down the road, live day by day. Start by living a healthy, happy life now so it’ll be happy, healthy and full in the end.
There is a saying that I absolutely love, and it’s that “There are far greater things ahead than anything we ever leave behind.” This saying is beautiful and so true. No matter what is going on right now, how you feel, what mistakes you have made, what kind of past you have and are holding on to… they are only short-term problems and situations. They are the things you leave behind. Look at what is ahead. Make a list of what you have to look forward to and make it happen. The future starts with you and the past ends with you.
