Keith JonesMarch 30, 2016

It’s important to view each day as an opportunity to be a better version of yourself than you were the day before. If you embrace this vision, you increase your chances of living a life of goodness and happiness. Your past, no matter the mistakes you’ve made or hardships you’ve experienced, won’t dictate where you go. It will not be the author of your life. Instead, growth and possibilities will chart your course.

The past is something we can’t change. We can repeat it or learn from it. We can be defeated or inspired by it. And we can be trapped in it or free of it. Which category you fall in depends on what power you give your past. Is your past the author of your continuing life story or is it your loving and optimistic nature to be more, do more and contribute more that’s writing your life story?

From childhood through my mid thirties, I allowed my past to influence my life. Filled with anger and hatred towards a stepfather who struggled with alcoholism, I worked to be everything he wasn’t. The way I spoke, set goals and treated people was a reaction to my past with him. I didn’t share myself with anyone for fear of judgment. I trusted no one because I thought it would lead to heartbreak. And I judged everyone because I didn’t know how to forgive. While there were personal and professional achievements along the way, I wasn’t really happy and I didn’t make anyone’s life truly better. How could I when I was allowing my past to dictate how I operated in life.

When I chose a loving mindset that focuses on being better and doing good, my life changed. First, I stopped being a victim. I immediately got love and compassion for my stepfather and everyone else who’s come into my life, whether for a life or  a season and moved on. Second, I began working on who I’d like to become instead of defending who I was. I didn’t have to be the kid who survived an abusive childhood. And you, you don’t have to be someone with a weight problem, spouse who was cheated on or person abandoned by friends. You can be a human being who loves and forgives everyone, including yourself, and gives people the space to reinvent themselves. Third, I took control over what I allowed into my life. This included my thoughts; whether they would be positive and loving or negative and judgmental. What I read and listened to became important to me. It had to be something that inspired me to be better, not stagnant or cynical. And the people in my life would be loving, kind and giving. There would be no room for a trouble past.

Who is dictating the life you’re living? Is it a past filled with stories of heartbreak from parents, friends or former partners? Is it loss of a loved one, your reputation or material possessions? Whatever the case, you  get to choose the author. Be bold and write a new story full of love, contribution and service. You’ll be happier for sure.

Keith