Living in the past is not healthy
Valorie nailed it with this post. We need to live for today and make the most of every opportunity. If we do that, I really don't think we will have the time to live in the past!
Have you ever met anyone that seems to live in the past? Chances are that you have a friend or family member that is forever talking about the “good ole’ days” and how great it was before. While it’s normal to reminisce about times gone by, there is a difference between remembering the past and actually living in it.People choose to stay in the past because it is comfortable, predictable but if it keeps one from moving forward or enjoying the present than it can become a serious problem. The truth is that this type of behavior is nothing more than a form of avoidance. It’s much more pleasant to think about your high school sweetheart than it is to deal with the problems you are having in your marriage today. Remembering your glory days playing football is certainly much more fun than trying to lose that extra weight that you’re carrying around now, right?People live in the past because they simply don’t want to deal with their present situation. It’s scary to think that maybe your best days in life are behind you and the future is uncertain and unpredictable. The problem is that if you don’t address why it is that you are unhappy now you will never be able to change it. You are dooming yourself to always wishing it was 20 years ago and that almost ensures an unhappy future.If you are one of the many people that live in the past there are a few things you can try to become more optimistic about your future. First of all take a good look at your life and make note of everything that you have to be thankful for today. Maybe it’s not the same as before but you might be surprised what you will discover if you take the time to think about it.Learn to begin planning for the future that you want. What you do today determines what happens tomorrow, right? If you know what will make you happy you must start to work towards those goals. If not, it will never happen and you owe it to yourself to enjoy your life to the fullest. You can make your future bright but it takes work and you are worth it.Finally, you must realize that life truly is perpetual change. No matter how much we love something it won’t last forever. Learn to appreciate the fact that you had it at one time and be grateful. Maybe you no longer own that 1969 Ford Mustang but isn’t it great that you did at one time? Many others wish they did but were not as fortunate as you were. Don’t look at the past as something you’ve lost, look at it as something to be treasured and remembered. The future could be just as good if you give it half a chance.
Valorie L Ford
434.327.6900
www.ValorieSellsVirginia.com
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