“No matter how dark a person's past is, it need not color his present permanently.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2000-03-08) from his book, Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes (p. 78). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Have you come to realize that yet?  When my father was killed in a truck accident it colored my life for a long time but finally the pain turned to good memories that I hold onto.  I somewhere somehow let go of the pain.

John says, “Someone who is unable to get over previous hurts and failures is held hostage by the past. The baggage he carries around makes it very difficult for him to move forward. In fact, in more than thirty years of working with people, I have yet to meet a successful person who continually dwelt on his past difficulties.”

Have you ever gotten in a car and found the driver looking continually in the rear view mirror?  He is totally looking at where he has come from.  Of course not.  If it happened you would immediately want him to stop and get out.  But so many are constantly looking at their past.

John also says, “No matter what you've experienced, remember this: There are people who've had it better than you and done worse. And there are people who've had it worse than you and done better. The circumstances really have nothing to do with getting over your personal history. Past hurts can make you bitter or better— the choice is yours?

The thought that I started today with was, “This is another day to be explored to be used to be enjoyed. I'm going to do it. Thanks God.”  Now the start of my day was a little bumpy and I was tempted to bring up some negative past experiences but I had made a choice to live this day with an exciting view and I have found it to be what I chose it to be.

So what does your day look like?