Stop Living In The Past

Don't be dead.
It's not cool.

A lot of people are stuck living in the past. And I'm not just talking about fashion and hairstyles. I mean, literally, they are stuck in the past. I hear a lot of people dwelling on things like...

That great boyfriend/girlfriend they had in high school or college.
When they used to be physically in shape.
When "the world was a simpler place."
The revival from 20 years ago that changed their life and their church forever.
When their spouse used to love them and show it.
When their kids weren't hell-ians.
When money wasn't so tight.
When kids had respect for authority.
When the government wasn't crooked and the people weren't overtaxed.
When people accepted truth for truth.
When they were the leader of the pack.
When America was a Christian nation.

For the love of Pete: Stop. The Freaking. Madness, People!

I know that the past happened. It was real, and for some, glorious. I get that. But why live life dwelling on the "splendor in the grass," or the "glory in the flower"? After all, nothing can bring them back, you know. (read this poem if that doesn't make sense).

I'll celebrate with you what glory has existed; but my main concern is What is happening in your life now that we can celebrate?

You used to have a great marriage? Awesome. How is it now? And what can you do to make it better?
You used to be in shape? Fantastic. What kind of shape are you in now? And what can you do to improve?
You used to be in a good place spiritually? Sweet. What about now? And what can you do to get closer to God?
Your life used to be so much simpler and easy? Okay. What are doing to embrace today and your life right now?

See, the reason why people get stuck in the past is because in some way, they perceive the past to be better than where they are now. Instead of lamenting about how great things were and how bad they are now, why not figure out what caused the change and then fix it?

Assignment:
What part of your life seems to suck right now, but was good in times past?
What changed to make it suck?
What can you do to reverse that and improve?
Now start doing it.

And stop living in the past.


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