The past does not define the future

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In my workshops I ask the question: If you had a magic wand, what would you change in your life? Where would you position yourself? Who would you be? That is the moment when the buried dreams are surfacing. My next question is? And what keeps you from realizing them?

Sometimes it is the financial situation, responsibility, or obligations. But very often it is just used as excuses in order to keep everything as it has been (Comfort Zone). Mostly it is the fear of breaking out of habits. It can be the fear of doing something which wasn’t done before, perhaps some uncomfortable experiences were made in the past, or it simply is the fear of failing.There are many reasons. shutterstock_79430332_4wp

Very often it is because of negative experiences in the past. Someone who went through a bad relationship perhaps swears to never ever get into a relationship again in order to not get hurt anymore. Of course, they cannot get hurt but they will also not get another chance on love. Some people perhaps wanted to learn a certain profession but failed their exam and never tried again. Perhaps because they were ashamed of not passing it or told themselves that it was too difficult for them.

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I guess everybody once choked on a drink. But I think no one decided to never drink anymore. The lesson was to be more attentive in the future. Why not being that with everything we once “chocked” on? A negative experience tells us what we should avoid or change. There is no knock out system that says you only have one try. Perhaps sometimes you do only have one try. For example when the parachute doesn’t open while gravity kicks in. Ok, that was a little morbid 😜

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I know people who were not privileged to go to college or to university. But they made their way differently through schools, seminars, and hard work. They did it because they wanted it. Perhaps it took them some years longer but they made it. Only because in the past they did not jump on that intercity train did not mean they can take the bus instead. As unique as we are as unique are our ways to our achievements. Don’t believe you fail only because you don’t go the “regular” way. There is no regular way – there is YOUR way!

Never believe that whatever happened in the past is a direction for the future. In my post Control is an Illusion I mentioned many examples of people with disabilities who achieved goals which many, not disabled people, never reached. And why? Because they did not look back but forward.

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We all leave footsteps on our journey through life. When we look back we can see where we went, where we stopped, where we ran, even where we laid down. But when we look forward there are no footsteps. What lies behind is only the written story which brought you to this very point. But what lies ahead is an unwritten page. There may be difficult territory, it may be slippery, or it may be a smooth and soft meadow. But only when you look forward you see where it is best to put your foot next. As long as you look back you will stumble again. The past can only define your future when you hold on to it. Don’t worry. The tail is not wagging the dog. The trace a boat leaves on the water is not directing it. Whatever experience you made in the past is not the experience that lies in the future.

Whatever you needed to learn from any experience ever made is in your backpack – it is with you. The wisdom you need is written in your storybook. Now turn that page around, take a pen and start a new chapter. Don’t copy and paste anymore! The past is there to limit us but to prepare us for more. Every step on our journey is a scoop of wisdom and you are the only one to taste it! It is your book, your path!

The future is unwritten and you are its author! If you had a magic wand…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtGY4G7II6s

In Love and Light


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Erika's avatar

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The purpose of my blog is to inspire and shine a light on the beauty and power of the wonderful being inside your body. You came into this world to share what only you can give. Remember who you really are, conquer the world the way you always wanted to, and become the blessing to us all that you were meant to be.

75 Comments

Hello Erika. I came here from Sue’s blog. Loved the post with the wisdom in it. I agree that like in driving, in life too we need to focus more on the front than on the rear view and our past should not limit our future. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post.

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Hi, Somali! Thank you very much for coming over to read the post. I appreciate it a lot!
I love your comparison with the front and rear view! That’s a great way to explain it and it is absolutely true!! Thank you very much!

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Wonderful, inspiring post, Erika, and well-written! So often we let the past define our future, letting it hold us down instead of beginning a new chapter. Another thought though that I’ll add, which is derived from a friend of ours, is when “you” get back up from “failures” and push forward, doing everything you think is right, and yet, still not realizing “your” dream. Our friend is doing okay and has succeeded in so many other ways, but he’s probably suffered from mild depression. It’s that old adage of trying, but not getting anywhere. The treadmill of life.
Is this Fate or God’s plan? I guess we’ll never know, but the good thing is that he and his family are doing fine. Your post sparked these thoughts, so thank you for reading and for continuing to inspire us. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, Lauren ❤

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Hi, Lauren! Thank you very much for taking the time and reading and commenting. I appreciate it a lot that you shared that story of your friend. Fate or God’s plan… a big topic! It could be fate of only the path we have to walk in order to make fate happen. Often becoming ill is the way to become healthy because we learn so much from the hard times in our lives… but as I said, it is a big topic. This just came to my mind spontaneously.
I am glad your friend and his family are well. Thank you again, for your insightful and inspiring words, Lauren 💖

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That makes you think about…
The past has shaped us, the present gives us options and we can have a hand on our future.
Thank you for your inspirational words.

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Yes, I am convinced that we must not forget our roots – we can only grow, if the basis and the ingredients fit to us.
And you’re right – creating the future is more “take the best and develop the rest” out of our own history!

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Reblogged this on Dreamwalker's Sanctuary and commented:

I just had to share Erika’s post with you all.

May we all learn to turn the page and start a new chapter in our lives as Erika’s words convey, Enjoy..

Comments will be closed here so please leave your thoughts over with Erika..
Love and Blessings and enjoy our week.

Love and Blessings ~Sue

Liked by 1 person

Erika, this is another outstanding piece, which more need to read, I hope you will not mind if I were to reblog your post.. Loved this sentence ” What lies behind is only the written story which brought you to this very point.” So very true.. We are who we are, because of our stories..
Blessings Erika.. 🙂 xxx ❤ Hugs Sue

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