Get Past The Past

Get Past The Past dan skognes motivation blogger speaker teacher trainer coach educatorAre you trying to move forward looking in the rearview mirror?  It is impossible to do. There is a reason a windshield is so big in comparison to the rearview mirror.  It was never intended for you to drive or to live looking backwards.

Letting go of past mistakes can be very hard to do when relationships have been sacrificed, careers ruined, and finances tanked. What makes it next to impossible to let go of the past is when you are continually reminded of the mistakes you have made. So, is it even possible to live in the now and let go of the past?

The answer is, “That depends on you.”  It is up to you whether you want to live a life that is full, rewarding, and filled with blessings, or if you want to dwell in the past and miss all of that.  Who in their right mind would choose to dwell in the past and miss the blessings of the present, right? Well, unfortunately, millions of people fall into that trap.

Here are a few things that might help you move forward in the new year:

  • You can’t move forward if you are still anchored in the past. Pull up the anchor that is holding you back. Whatever it is that the anchor represents (bitterness, resentments, anger, un-forgiveness, hanging out with the wrong crowd, etc.), pull it up and move forward. It may require that you get new friends, a new job, new hobbies, or forgive someone that has done something unforgivable towards you; but, whatever it is that is holding you back, take responsibility for yourself and do what is right vs. what feels good at the moment.
  • You can’t move forward if you are stuck in neutral. You have to do something positive to move yourself forward. Replace bitterness, resentments, anger, and un-forgiveness with love, grace, kindness, and mercy.
  • Get friends that are grounded emotionally and spiritually. If you are getting advice from friends that is contrary to common sense or Biblical principles, that should be a clue to you that you need new friends. There is a proverb that says, “Evil company corrupts.” Take heed to who you hang with. They WILL influence you for good or for evil.
  • Be willing to admit your mistakes. Take responsibility for things you have done wrong and rectify them if possible.
  • Forgive yourself and don’t allow others to “shame you” when you have moved forward.

Life is complicated for most of us. There are so many moving parts and there are always the surprises that life throws at us on a regular basis. My prayer for you and for myself is that we let the past be past. Let’s learn from our mistakes, let go of the anchor(s) that have been keeping us from moving forward, and let’s make the new year the best year of our lives.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

One Response to “Get Past The Past”

  1. Kay Chaffin says:

    great article, and so true!