Your Past is Weighing You Down

Let go of the Past and Run Towards Your Future

You’ve been hurt and direspected by someone you truly loved on more than one occasion. A co-worker has done everything in their power to discredit you and wants to see you fail. Family members have let you down when you needed them the most. Or, your self-critical because of choices you made in the past. You’re bitter, hurt, resentful and distrustful of everyone. All the baggage from your past is weighing you down and affecting your relationships . You can’t breakthrough your emotional pain and you choose to hold on tight to your past, as if it’s your armor of proctection from those who have wronged you. Don’t let the past define who you are. Let go of the baggage and start the journey towards a new future.

To start your journey, begin by making 7 changes that will transform your life:

Choose to Be Positive

Being positive in your thoughts and actions changes your perspective on things. Focus on the good things in your life. Think about abunance instead of lack, success instead of failure, strengths instead of weaknesses and love and happiness. Choose to see the bright side of life and surround yourself with positive influences. Focus on these things until they become a reality. Being positive empowers you. Don’t be a victim to your circumstances.

Be an Example of Good Character

Maintain your dignity. Regardless of how you’ve been mistreated, don’t allow someone’s actions change who you are and destroy your heart. You are an amazing human being . Set a high standard of behaviors and actions. I’m a firm believer of always doing the right thing, no matter what the circumstances are. Don’t inflict the same pain onto others that you endured. Have compassion for others and it will be returned to you.

Forgive

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Forgiveness can be very difficult to do when someone who has wronged you doesn’t deserve it. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you no longer hold the person responsible for their actions. You’re not condoning, excusing or minimizing the act. It simply means that you are letting go of the bitterness to make room for peace and happiness. It allows you to move on with life and helps you focus on the positive things. Use prayer or meditation to help you open yourself to it. Remember, forgiveness is a process and it benefits the forgiver.

Some of the benefits of forgiveness are:

1. Healthier realtionships
2. Less hostility
3. Greater well-being

Share your struggles

Don’t let your issues bottle up inside and consume you. Find someone you can trust and share your story of struggles. You don’t need to feel ashamed or guilty, you just need to embrace them and move forward. We all have struggles and failures, but it’s how we choose to deal with them is the key. Share your truth and allow yourself to be encouraged by others. You’ll be surprised how many people will start to support you. You’ll feel liberated.

Serve others

Volunteering your time to serve others is a great way to get your mind off your past or lamenting about your present situation. Visit a nursing home or a children’s hospital. Donate food to a food bank. Get involved in a cause that is near and dear to you. Whatever it is, be a positive impact on others. Believe me, if you want to find happiness and fulfillment, helping to improve the lives others is the best way to find it.

Make Room for your Blessings

When you’re holding onto angry, past hurt and pain, you block yourself off from receiving love, joy and peace. In order to receive those blessings, you must be willing to let go, take a deep breath and start being a blessing. If you want love, you must show love. If you want joy in your life, then bring joy to others. Give what you want to receive.

Know Who You Are

Embrace who you are and know that everything that has happened in your life, happened for a reason. Your experiences, the good, the bad and awful, shaped you into who you are today and has prepared you to live out your purpose. You are human, and you are entitled to make mistakes. Forgive yourself and learn from those mistakes. Use those lessons to improve your life.