I’m definitely an “I need something to look forward to to keep me motivated” type of gal.  But, what happens when that “something” has happened and you’re left to twiddle your thumbs until the next “something”.  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that type of thinking. If anything it can be extremely beneficial—when there’s a balance. We can get so caught up with the next thing that we can’t appreciate things that ARE and WERE.

Did you know that looking back in the past CAN be beneficial? No, I’m not talking about holding onto grudges and hurtful experiences. There are so many sayings/quotes discouraging us from looking back.  Sayings such as “Don’t trip over what is behind you” or …”There’s no reason to look back. The past hasn’t changed” are all sayings a lot of us have quoted a time or two. We even throw them up as an IG caption that has absolutely noting to do with the picture we posted. Guilty party here. We like to feel like we’re high-steppin’ in the positivity parade when we thwart any notion of a thought/thing that isn’t forward moving.

 But, have you ever stopped to think about the beauty in looking back? It tells a story of where we’ve come from. It lights a path to where we are destined to be. What’s the purpose of museums? A museum preserves an article/object from the past to be displayed for the purpose of education and/or enjoyment. What about an archive? It stores something of relative importance for future use or reference. Or even photographs? Surely, I don’t need to spell out the purpose nor significance of a photo. You get what I’m saying, right?

The past teaches you to reflect on the lessons that will be sure to stay with you for a lifetime. Personal reflection is necessary in so many ways.  It allows you to experience a situation with a fresh perspective. Would you handle things differently?  I step aaaaall over my own toes when I’m in reflection. Writing it down is even harder, but I can always revisit that place and decide whether or not I want to ever dwell in that space again. I’m making a concerted effort to do a monthly audit of my world. I’m calculating memories, priorities, and lessons learned.

I am thankful for the past. It makes me so very grateful for my present and hopeful for my future.  One of the reasons I wanted to start this blog was to chronicle the places I’ve traveled to and the people that have touched me through those experiences. It was to be more so my travel diary. And that’s what I still want it to be, but so much more. I want it to inspire someone to want to see more; live more of what God has created for us. How humbling is that!

My past is where the lesson was learned, but my future is where I will apply the lesson. I’m embracing the past. All of it. Here’s to continuously building the best version of ourselves and another year of sharpening the saw.  

What was your most memorable moment from this past month? What was the biggest lesson you learned from it? What past experiences have helped shape you? Look back at it (I couldn’t resist)!