Never mind what’s in your rear view. Leave your past behind you. Focus more on enjoying your experiences on the journey towards happiness. Don’t get hung up on the destination. ~ Pat Williamson
Don’t Waste Time Hating Your Past. Look ahead… and Move forward. No matter what it did to you, the past shaped who you are. Even the bad things that have happened to you… they can help you to appreciate life… and all the lessons you can take from it.
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” ~Unknown
Like everyone, I’ve had my share of unpleasant, difficult, and downright heart breaking experiences. For the longest time:
I was angry at the world because I’d experienced them…
I hated the mistakes I made…
I berated myself for my screw-ups and bad choices…
I felt defined by my mistakes… and thought I couldn’t do any better.
Then one day, my dad gave me some great advice… and I realized, “EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME, WAS THE PERFECT PREPARATION FOR THE PERSON I WAS DESTINED TO BECOME.” All of a sudden… everything flipped.
Things I had regretted, actually shaped me. What’s more, I had a choice in it. I had inadvertently used those things that had happened to me as a tool to drive me forward. Many of the things I’d become interested in, my passions, and my values were driven by those very experiences.
So I’m telling you, grow through the adversity… and then you will come out on the other end: Stronger, clearer, and with a renewed zest for life. The dark times won’t kill you… but they will help you develop the gifts GOD put inside you, that’s going to make your life successful, beautiful… and worthwhile.