Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future

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As we are moving into a new year, I always consider December a good time to think about how to make the new year your best year ever. A little evaluation of the present year and what you can do to move forward in the coming year…

Imagine for a moment trying to put on the clothes you wore as a baby or toddler. The fact is, the clothes may be yours but they simply don’t fit anymore. It’s the same with reacting to our past. It makes no sense to go back and dwell because the past doesn’t define your future.

Your past may have been traumatic, problematic, and caused havoc but you can heal your past for a healthy present…and future.

Is Past Behavior Always an Indicator of Future Behavior?

Your past definitely influences the future. What you went through or the mistakes you made will impact your thoughts and feelings which can lead to a crossroads. One road leads to unconscious thoughts and feelings that trigger destructive behavior and repeat circumstances over and over. Another road leads to healing the past, becoming intentional with thoughts and feelings which promotes healthier choices and actions.

Your past behavior doesn’t have to be an indicator of what’s coming down the road if you do the internal work to heal.

Take Advice from Maya Angelou

Author, poet, activist, and all-around great woman Maya Angelou famously advised us to “do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

The choices we make are influenced by a variety of things including-

• Our age
• Our support system…or lack of it
• Our economics
• Our level of education
• Our advantages…and disadvantages
• The available choices at the time

We may make entirely different choices when any of these factors change. What we chose in the past does not mean it’s what we would choose today or tomorrow. As we grow, mature, find support, and experience different circumstances, we change and so does the quality of our choices. If we stay the same and keep making poor choices, it’s important to look at what is holding us back and do the work to heal and move forward.

Some Things are Out of Your Control

Sometimes circumstances are beyond your control. What you experienced in the past wasn’t anything you chose, but something that happened to you. That doesn’t mean you can’t control the future. You may be unable to change what happened to you in the past, but going through tough situations does provide lessons and awareness that you can take with you and use in the present and future. In a way, having things happen outside of your control can offer you mental resources that give you control moving forward. It may be as simple as choosing to forgive or learning you can manage stress or uncertainty. These are powerful tools to have today and tomorrow.  

In Conclusion

Your past doesn’t define your future, your awareness does. What you are conscious of, the choices you make with intention, and the actions you take today can influence your future more than anything.

It’s almost the new year! How are you planning to make 2022 the best year ever? Tell us in the comments!

Loving Life–The Reboot!

Dominique

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This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.