On the odd occasion, you might have heard the saying that all of your past experiences have prepared you for the experiences you are having now. Frequently, in addition to the coherent thread that might exist throughout our lives, our lives tend to be littered with a broad range of seemingly ad hoc experiences. Some of these experiences may have seemed small and insignificant, while others were cataclysmic and left us irrevocably changed.

Although we may not know what experiences life will throw at us, nor when they might happen, we can try to be more aware of the experiences we are having now, and to be intentional in the actions we take. However, even preceding our actions is our attitude and perception of our experiences, which tend to guide how we respond. To that end, mindfulness is crucial, and should not be underestimated. Anger, frustration, jealousy, disappointment can cloud our judgement and similarly, influence the choices we make and our actions.

 

Throughout the day, we invite you to revisit this quote. Below are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself, and those who journal may find them especially useful:

• With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, would I stand behind my past actions, especially those driven by anger, jealousy, disappointment, etc.?
• Are there reactions and actions to past situations I wish I could change?
• If my past experiences and actions are shaping my future, what might my future look like?
• For challenging situations I will experience in the future, what might I do that would allow to handle those experiences in a way that my future self will thank me for?

 

 

Best wishes, and have a great day!