Living in the Present but Thankful for the Past

My mom sent me this email I had written to her way back almost when I first started this aol journal four years ago.   I’m living in the present, but I am thankful for the past.   I just moved into a sweet little place by the river, I’m really enjoying the peace I’m finding there.   I thought it was interesting that my mom sent me this email that I had sent her in the past.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

From: Mom
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:01 PM
To: Me
Subject: Re: Something I wrote when I lived at the beach

 

Thought you would enjoy reading this.  Everything changes with time.  I am so glad you like where you are living.

 

The reason I have not emailed you lately is that I have been working in the council room and I don't have email over there.  I check my email before I go home everyday.

 

Have a good week-end.  Enjoy your new home.  I love you the best.  Always remember that.  You are number 1.

----- Original Message -----

From: Me

Cc: Mom

 

 

 

I wrote this my first month when I was living at the beach in my little beach house a block from the Ocean, I’ve been going back and reading stuff.   Funny how reading things I wrote in the past help me today.

 

Love ya’ll

Derek

THANKFUL FOR THE PAST

 

I've been thinking about my past today. Trying not to be too hard on myself. It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But maybe it's better to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience and growth.

Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to another level of living and loving. The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons.

I've come out of some painful circumstances with strong insights about who I am and what I want. Mistakes? Oh yes, many! Necessary! I guess so. Necessary for me to learn from the mistakes. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too. Each step of the way, we learned. We went through exactly the experiences we need to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed. Is our past a mistake? No. The only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.

Today, I ask for help to let go of negative thoughts I may be harboring about my past circumstances or relationships. I can accept, with gratitude, all that has brought me to today. One of my internet friends sent me this. I really liked it.

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

There comes a time when you must stand alone.

You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.

You must be willing to make sacrifices.

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.