Inspired by Wednesday: Baggage

Have you ever looked back while walking forward? I have. I have run into people, doors and cars. Once, while shopping, I walked into a mannequin. I was looking where I had been instead of where I was going. I actually said “sorry” unaware it was not human.

We do that in life, too. We try to go forward while looking back at our past. We return to anger. We entertain- what ifs and guilt. We rehearse our mistakes. We can’t seem to leave the past in the past. Sometimes, we throw it in a bag and carry it with us.

But, looking back while moving forward will:
  • Confuse your progress
  • Weigh down your heart
  • Cause you to stumble
  • Encourage bitterness
  • Tear down the building
  • Launch the tears -again

 The best way to leave the past behind is to stop looking for it. If remembering your past does not benefit you in some way, it is time to let it go.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NIV)

So what if we’ve made bad decisions and mistakes. We learn. We are certainly not the sum of our mistakes. We are the sum of collective living -the good and bad.

"But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Moving forward while looking back is not a natural thing and it can be hazardous. I don't know about you but I'm ready to stop carrying baggage that I don't need.

Comments

Hi Teresa .. how true and how often we change our minds promptly to bump into something or someone ..

When I did a post on pillar boxes and their coming into being 140 years ago or so .. I wrote this:

"Law of Unintended Consequences – the first was the painting of the pillar boxes a bronze green colour chosen as it was thought that would be unobtrusive. Too unobtrusive as it turned out – people kept walking into them. So red they became." .. hence our red pillar boxes here in England!

Don't we all carry our baggage with us .. finally we have a new manager up at my Mother's Nursing Centre - who is proactive and will get on with things, so I can rest assured about my Mother - while at the same time I can leave my past behind and get on with a positive frame of mind.

Life can have its ups and downs - but one of the main things is being able to learn to leave behind - "now" is the time - as in NOW!

Have a good week and Spring ahead .. Hilary
Hilary, So true. We all have things we need to leave behind. We waste our precious time picking at old wounds.
Joanne said…
I like to think that I can leave certain things behind, yet take something from them, too. Some wisdom, some lesson, that will enrich my life in some future way.
Mason Canyon said…
Very wise post. Something we need to work toward to better our lives.
Ann Elle Altman said…
These are great words and ones we need to be reminded of from time to time. Human nature makes us want to look back and regret but we shouldn't, there's nothing that we can do about the past except learn from it.

ann
Angela C. said…
I agree, and see the value in your post. Sometimes I feel that my past regrets,and mistakes are chained around my ankles...dragging them everywhere I go.

Angela
Carol Kilgore said…
I've run into a mannequin, too. This is a great post because we know we need to keep looking forward and not dwell on the past. However, in fiction, it's a great tool for the writer to use with her protagonist. Thanks.
Christ died so we could leave our baggage at the alter, not lug it around slowing us down while we're tryin' to move forward. Moving forward while lookin' back...somebody is gonna get hurt!

Great post, girl!

God bless and have a wonderful Wednesday!!!
CM said…
So true! I think it's good not to dwell on the past, but learn from it and move forward.

BTW, it's not just you, I actually walked into a manequin once too!!!
Mary Aalgaard said…
We ARE the sum of all of our living the good and the bad. I'll press that into my memory. Learn from the past, but don't stay stuck there.
Thanks.
I mentioned you in my blog awards and inspirations on my blog yesterday. Your words are a joy to read.
Deb Shucka said…
What a great reminder. Thank you for sharing your story and your insights.
patti said…
Just spoke about this to a Bible study friend.

I suggested that she write those past demons haunting her on a piece of paper and flush 'em.

Wonderful blog post, as usual.
P
Anonymous said…
Very sagely advice. Thank you.
Terri Tiffany said…
A huge AMEN from this corner of the world!!
Devon Ellington said…
What's behind you influences the choices moving forward. They're your foundation. You shed what doesn't work, and use as your ballast what does.
Paul C said…
This is a most energizing post to keep looking forward with vision and optimism.

I am reminded of a poem about a ploughman who kept looking forward. If he looked behind too much, his furrow would stray and bend.
Marvin D Wilson said…
Good thoughts and well written. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog today. I'll be back ...

The Old Silly
Linda said…
Such a good reminder. Our book club/knitting group read a story about a lady who took a suitcase, a black bag, and another bag full of something with her everywhere she went. Would not leave them behind. We finally find out that it is all the knitting mistakes she every made. It was so much trouble for her - yet we do the same thing all the time with our life mistakes.
Wanda said…
So true...carry baggage limits us in many ways.
Carol Murdock said…
Good advice Teresa!xoxo :)
Unknown said…
Teresa, this is very meaningful and insightful. Thanks for post.

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