Transitions, part two

I was talking to a friend recently. She told me about her son who was complaining about the past and not resolving his present problems. Everything was blamed on things that had taken place more than twenty years ago. We tossed ideas back and forth for a while, then realized he can’t move forward with his life because he’s too busy looking backwards.

Rather than thinking about the future and how he’d like to enhance it, he was caught in the turmoil of a past he barely remembered. He fussed about his step-father, a man who he hadn’t seen since the age of six. Said step-father was held responsible for a drinking problem.

I wonder how many of you are looking forward instead of backwards. Hopefully, everyone is thinking about the wonderful future you’d love to have. And planning it.

By planning the future, I don’t mean just thinking about how much you would like to be rich, or have a shiny new car. I hope you’re writing down ideas on how you will achieve your goals. I hope you’re visualizing your future in vivid colors, getting ready to enjoy the amazing realities you can bring into focus by starting today to make things happen, one tiny baby step at a time.

If you’re a fence sitter in the future planning business, think about it. Will you spend your time complaining about the people and situations of your past, or will you look forward to a bright, happy, useful future? The choice is yours.

Part Three: The Pain of Labor