Just came up with an insight that I think might be rich for you. It’s about the distinction between worry and reflection. So many thought leaders counsel us to avoid living in the past. "Live in the now," they advise. "Enjoy the moment." Well, I get what they are saying. But isn’t there something good about going back and delighting in the delicious moments of the journey we’ve arrived from?
Which brings me to worry versus reflection. Whether to revisit the past – in my mind – depends on your intention. If your intention and reason to go back into your past is to dwell on bad things and to worry over things you cannot change and to rehash painful times, then I suggest it’s an unhealthy act. But, if your intention – in going back in time – is to reflect on the lessons events have taught you and to grow in wisdom and to savor the precious memories that you were blessed enough to experience well then I think it’s good.
I guess what I’m inviting you to consider is that it’s a waste of time to fret and regret over things you’ve done that cannot be changed. But that it’s a fantastic use of time to bask in the good times, feel gratitude for them and use your past to serve your future rise.’’
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I bask in the bad times, I feel gratitude since I learned so much from them. I look back with a huge smile and thank GOD for the lessons.
And when all the lessons are learned- we give up the bad times for the temporal part they played in entertaining you to seek the greater eternal Good— and you then become a true healer and light to the world….
Sometimes it's very hard for me to see the difference between worry and reflection. This is helping me understand the difference, but I would like to see more and hear others' thoughts as well.
Robin's insight resonates with me as it highlights the difference between looking at past events with positive vs negative energy. Seeing the growth you receive from an experience brings with it a healthier growth opportunity. Dwelling on it in a negative light does not nourish the soul and allow for growth in the same manner. If energy does in fact follow thought… (Erich…think of it that way…if energy follows worry…then what is created? If energy follows reflection, that allows you to see positive growth in yourself, and energy follows that…?)
Respectfully submitted.
Reflection works when we have moved out of the painful past. It motivates during the ups and downs as we realize that we are here because of our grit, determination and perseverance to leave the negative past behind and move ahead positively.
However, if we are still living in past, reflection will create a negative energy. We become bitter and mistrustful towards others. Some people move ahead but are still bitter about the painful past, past cannot be changed but forgiving people who caused it can help us in healing and being positive, right?
By reflecting on past experiences we can better understand the causes and conditions that created them. Only then can we move forward in our lives and not repeat past mistakes. Worry is not only a distraction but it creates a barrier to further spiritual growth.
I love frogs—Always ready for a quantum leap—
….and as we move forward we no longer reflect on past experiences, we meet purity face to face and reflect eternal love- and give up the ghost of past experiences and live the ever new joyous precious eternal moments-
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Having been dwelling on my "bad childhood" on and off throughout my journey, I'm realizing it has been worrying, not reflecting I've been doing. It is time to move on, cherish my knowledge, give thanks for my new family of wonderful friends and manifest good. Life is grand and I'm grateful to be alive! :0) In gratitude…