Power-ing Forward

In 2007 I had several major loses like the loss of my father to lung cancer and the breakup of my three year relationship.

Though on a more positive note, I gained a Masters degree and loads of life experience.

Yet, somehow looking back it feels like 2007 was a year of loss.

It was during 2008 that I felt ONLY gain. I can hardly look back and see any loses at all. I believe I went from great experience to great experience. I learned a lot and truly felt satisfied.

But what's the point of looking back?

What could I possibly do with the information written above? Sit and smile? Or cry? Or ponder the meaning of gaining and losing?

I often find through coaching that people LOVE looking back, telling stories, and not to mention, they love going over the same scenario over and over again looking for what they may have missed.

In some cases it is important to look back IN ORDER to move forward...but most of the time if we looked through our eyes and not through the back of our head we would gain the momentum to carry us onward.

However, the fact remains clear-we all love to wallow in the past. So if you're going to allow yourself to do so, give it proper time.

Sit down and write. Or share with a friend.

BUT, ask these questions:

What about my past is so interesting in the present?

How can I use my past to send me forward?

What will I do differently as a result of my past experience?

At the end of the day, the simplest way to live is for the present. Enjoy now and get excited for what is to come.

The past is just that…past.