Looking backward, looking forward

 

I've seen several memes and other postings recently with thoughts such as:
"Don't look back. You're not going that way."
"The past is the past. Don't let it hold you back. Move forward and don't look behind you."
"Never look back at your past, everything happens for a reason, keep your head up and look forward. The more you look back the more beautiful things you will miss in life."
I thought of that concept when I was hiking yesterday, and remembered many experiences when I looked ahead during a trek and felt discouraged and incapable of continuing the climb. Sometimes you can see a distant summit and you feel tired and overwhelmed with how much there is yet to be done (see first photo). But often if you turn and look back at those times, you recognize how much you've already accomplished, how many miles of trail, how many hundreds or thousands of feet of elevation (second photo).
Certainly, there can be danger in too much looking back in life. If you are obsessed with the past, especially with mistakes or challenges, you can't focus on what's ahead. On the other hand, looking too much at the future makes you miss the present! So there has to be a balance.
Someone said, "It's OK to look back, just don't stare." That's a good perspective on balance. There are some great benefits from looking back at the past:
- Like the hiking trails, you can be reminded of the obstacles that were overcome and the strength that came from doing things you may not have thought you were capable of.
- Sometimes it helps to compare the old you and the present you, and with luck, to see the growth and transformation. Or sometimes, to see areas where there still needs to be more effort!
- There is a sense of "recalled joy" when you can reflect on wonderful experiences of the past. I often experience this in the "memories" feature of Facebook (since most of what we share here are the best parts of our lives!).
- It's OK to occasionally notice the mistakes and problems, but only with the purpose of resolving to do better, to learn the lessons, to avoid the dangers, remembering that nothing you can do now will change what happened then. Only things you do now can change how you feel now!
- Looking back can remind you of the hopes and goals of the past, and allow you to "take stock" of how you're doing.
- Sometimes you even notice negative trends or cycles that you might not have been aware of, and can find ways to change.
I #GiveThanks for the occasional blessing of looking back, and the opportunity to look forward. But especially, for the blessing of making the most of NOW!

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