It's amazing what Life uses to teach us lessons and show us things. In my case this week it was the decision by DC Comics to relaunch their entire publications line. What that means is that EVERY title they publish will begin a new with issue #1. A new beginning, a new start, new costumes, new or tweaked origins, and a slightly confusing list of what pre-relaunch events still "count."
When I first read this, I was actually UPSET. "What do you mean Wondergirl and Kid Flash never existed?" "You mean Batgirl NEVER BECAME ORACLE?" "Supeman never married Lois Lane?" The list goes on and on. I was deeply disturbed that these stories and characters that I had invested YEARS of my life in, that I had followed every month since I was a child "no longer counted." That they had "never happened." (Save all the geek jokes... I take ownership of what I am... LOL).
Then suddenly it hit me like an epiphany. "These are fictional stories. They didn't ever REALLY happen." I realized that the fact that no one was going to continue writing these stories, doesn't make them any more or less real than they were before, I could ALWAYS go back and reread stories from that 'universe' and enjoy them as I always had. The problem was that my attachment to things from the past was not letting me appreciate the exciting new thing that was right in front of me.
How often are we unhealthily attached to things from our past? How many people bring past relationships into new ones, making people pay for the things that someone else did, or being afraid to take risks or try something new because of past failures or experiences? How many of us are stuck in old habits, accepting mediocrity or poor health, or other negative situations because we won't let go, won't forgive those who hurt us, and often,won't forgive OURSELVES, so that we don't live our lives thinking we deserve whatever meager crumbs circumstance throws our way?
The truth of the matter is that you can't change yesterday, and you can't predict what tomorrow will bring. The best that you can do is accept what has happened, learn from it and move on. Be open to new experiences. Make it a point to Live. REALLY LIVE. Scripture tells us that His mercies are new every morning, and that is what every morning is. It's an opportunity to start again.To reboot. To change directions. Maybe it's a major change, maybe it's baby steps, but find the step you need to start moving in the right direction and take it! You can do it!
What can you do to relaunch your life today?
I hate to begin with a cliche but "we are our own worst enemy" or something like that. I look back and wonder how many times I have made myself a victim instead of changing my thinking and creating something better BECAUSE of my experiences. Thank God that He is merciful and continues to show us the reason why we live.
ReplyDeleteNelsher,
ReplyDeleteI agree to both points. I can't tell you how this idea of a relaunch has made me look back and realize how many times I have kept myself from making progress and been so willing to deflect the blame.
I am also more grateful than ever for God's unending love, mercy and grace.
This was great and spoke to me DIRECTLY...sometimes the weight of the past does not let us move on...thanks for sharing, brother!
ReplyDeleteI concur!! The only thing you can do with the past is learn from it and let it go! Otherwise, your inner me becomes your worst enemy!!
ReplyDelete