Is Your Past Your Future?
I remember some time ago, a well-groomed young man in his early thirties came to me and asked for a minute of my time, and I said, “Sure, what can I do for you?” I was slightly skeptical, but also curious as to what he had to say. “I used to dream big until my business failed. I made too many mistakes and bad financial decisions to think that I could ever own a business again,” he said. My reply was, “Reflecting isn’t bad until you live there.”
Two Patterns of Thought
People have two basic forms of thinking patterns, one is constructive and the other is destructive. Melancholy people often live their life in review, too afraid to attempt new things because of their past failures. This form of thought pattern is destructive in nature because it demolishes hope. You will find this to be true with those who have been hurt in relationships, experienced divorce, or been disappointed with a business associate. Whenever a melancholy person initially becomes excited over a new business idea, they will put their life in review and recall the difficulties of starting and not succeeding in business. Therefore, after careful examination of their past failures, they will conclude that their ideas will never work. This person is often sad and depressed because the things they would love to do are reduced to his or her historical blunders.
The other form of thought pattern is constructive because it helps to build a healthy outlook on one’s life and personal future endeavors. These people often see things in preview. They would rather focus on tomorrow whether than presently live the regret of the disappointments of yesterday.
“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”
–John M. Richardson, Jr.
Where is Your Focus?
People who often succeed in living their life’s perspectives are those who learn from their past, focus on their present to develop for their future. This kind of person loves to get up in the morning because they look forward to doing something they have never attempted before. They do not live their entire lives trying not to rehearse the past, but rather preparing for the future. They are not familiar with living in the safety zone. In fact, the safety zone is very uncomfortable for them because it suppresses their creativity and locks them in a cavity of routines.
Are you the kind of person who often focuses on “what use to be” or one who loves to channel his or her life in the direction of “what ought to be?” Are you one who has to squeeze the worth out of living or value living because of its worth? Make your choice and decide today!
Charles F. Kettering once said,
“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there”
If you are not concerned with your future, you are someone who has no clue where you are going. Allow your future perspective to be previewed instead of your past being constantly reviewed.
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About The Author
I would have to say that this blog is true. my thought pattern, in my past, was destructive; because I was not thinking about the future. I was going with the flow of things and I noticed that I or should I say we were not getting far. we were not getting anywhere. I noticed this, my other half was content with the whole thing of life but I was not. There is so much more to life then just day to day. But my past is gone and I can’t bring it back. So my main foucs is to let go of my past, my life is in reveiw………
A wise man once asked me, “Do you know where you’re going in life, or are you just living your life?” When I began to consider my life and put it in review as Ms. Files said, my present life was turned right side up. I allowed myself to become so devastated by past mistakes and failures that I was afraid of moving forward. I had FOF, a Fear of Failing as put by Steve Erkel. From that point on I prayed and proclaimed that I would no longer allow fear to dictate what I did or didn’t do.
I don’t have that luxury of living in my past but have to push forward for there are greater things in store for me there. The best is truly yet to come. Just like you said Dr. Brown my past is tainted, yet my future is spotless, and I don’t want to mess it up before I get there.