The past is important, but the future pulls us forward

Our past is important. Who we are today is shaped by our past decisions and actions. Our past can explain why we think, feel, or act the way we do.

Knowing our wounds and the causes of those wounds is important in healing, forgiveness, and acceptance. We learn to accept and embrace our present the moment we get healed from our past wounds. It is easier to move forward in the present and into the future that we desire when we are at peace with our past.

But, our past alone cannot completely explain our thoughts and actions. Two people with the same past can have a different present and/or future. Aside from past experiences, there are other factors that shape us like our attitudes, our beliefs, and even grace.

Another factor is our vision of the future: our ideal selves, the persons we want to be, or the contribution we wish to make.

When it is clear who you want to become or what you wish to accomplish, the next step also becomes clearer. A clear vision excites us and fuels us to keep moving forward. When we are sick and tired of our present situation and circumstances, it is the hope for a better future that can keep us going. We do not only push forward towards the future that we desire. The future pulls us.

“Research now shows that a person’s past does not drive or dictate their actions and behaviors. Rather, we are pulled forward by our future.”
— Benjamin Hardy, Be Your Future Self Now

Do you know who you want to become? Have you determined your ideal self?

Sure, the future does not always turn out what we want it to be. We have to be flexible and learn to adjust along the way. There will always be setbacks and delays. But with the right attitude, mindset, actions, and habits, the future almost always turns out to be better than what we imagine. While the future that we desire pulls us, we often arrive at a better future.

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This post first appeared on carlocruz.org.