When the Past Calls - Don't Answer!

You Cannot Change the Past

You cannot change the past. It is done.
Leave it behind you, rather than allowing it to anchor you in place
and keep you from moving forward. There is hope in looking forward and freedom in letting go.
You deserve to have both.
Cyndie Spiegel

by Skip Cohen

If you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time, you know that I always jump the track on Sundays. I rarely write about anything related to business and marketing. Sunday is my day to share whatever's on my mind...and I never know what it is until I sit down and start to write.

I'm a big fan of Throwback Thursday because old photographs and videos help remind us of great moments in the past. However, occasionally, I get too occupied with wondering what I could have done differently in various situations. Looking back is great, but it accomplishes little to wish I could change things in the past.

One of my favorite motivational speakers was Ed Foreman - he used to say, "Life is for laughing, loving, and living!" Over the years since I first heard him speak at a Polaroid meeting so many years ago, I added, "NOT for bitching, moaning and complaining!"

A good portion of this past year is chocked full of events I simply want to forget. From hurricanes to family health issues to a death in the family and the loss of good friends, I want to close the door on 2024. The reality is that "closing the door" is only an expression. Although symbolic in helping to look towards the future, the past is done. It accomplishes nothing to spend too much time looking back.

The answer is precisely what Cyndie Spiegel wrote about above - looking forward. So, whether it's just the pain of things that happened outside your control or over-focusing on things you regret personally - don't let the past define your present!

And if you have something that's haunting you and stealing your peace and happiness - start laughing more! Yeah, it really is that easy. Here's a perfect example - Sheila and I try and swim every morning, but it's getting colder in Florida. So, I pulled out our wet suits. After all, the pool was a bone-chilling 82, and the air temperature was in the sixties! Well, we couldn't stop laughing at the two old farts suited up for cold water diving. However, the biggest laughs were trying to get out of the suits!

Here's the bottom line: Find more things to laugh about. The present is all we've got control over, and the road to the future can be as smooth or as bumpy as you choose to make it.

Wishing everybody a day ahead with no regrets and the freedom to let the past go and focus on the people most important in your life. It's called Thanksgiving for a reason and in spite of whatever challenges you've faced in the past - it's a perfect reminder to focus on everything you have to be grateful for. There's always something to smile and laugh about. Go for those eleven-second hugs I often suggest - they're the perfect way to keep things in perspective with the people you love the most!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world!​

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