Lingering Disappointment

I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of time reliving situations from the past.  Whether it be from moments of glory or strife, they often hold as much weight on repeat as they did the first time around.  Reliving allows me to dwell, whether that be good or bad.  But reliving can be a trait that causes great detriment if not controlled.  We should be forever progressing forward.  That is the goal, right?  To be growing and improving with every chance and opportunity.  So if the goal is to be moving forward, then why do we spend so much time in the past?  

The worst part about it all is if we are in fact moving forward, judging ourselves as we were back then will keep us there.  In all honesty, we do ourselves a grave injustice by judging our current selves by past infractions.  The past you is a different you.  For example, how many people still cringe about mistakes from high school?  I know I do and for me that was over 5 years ago!  Feeling embarrassed about our past is like admitting to ourselves that we haven't changed since then and if done over, the same result would occur.  I hope for your sake this isn't true, or won't be after the 365 days are done.  Not that you will no longer have disappointment, but that we can grow and change from it.

This is all well and good, but if you are anything like me, these situations don't command less attention by me deciding not to think about them.  In fact, like a purple elephant in the room, it doesn't disappear by staring at the blank ceiling.

But don't you mind, I have been told the solution.  It is very simple.  The solution to pollution is dilution.  I know it sounds like nothing more than a clever ditty, but its truth runs deep.  You will run into negativity, no matter what.  That is out of your control if you plan to live a normal life.  And it will include reasons to stop believing in yourself.  But it is your job, if you plan to have self-esteem that can move mountains, to dilute the negativity and look into the light.

So seeing as how I just finished my week of no Facebook and replacing it with something meaningful, I am going to start a new one.  (Let me just say what a rough one week it was.  Talk about an eye-opening experience.)  The new week-long challenge, is to affirm myself with 10 positives in the mirror everyday.  This will not be easy, but success is not for the meek.  It goes against my nature to speak positives into myself and it will feel awkward at first, but I know, like anything, the more I practice, the more it will come naturally.  I encourage you to join me.  Even if all you can commit to at first is singing "This Girl Is On Fire" to yourself everyday, it is a start.  And a start is progress.  

Day 13- "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -Philippians 4:8