The possibility for retrospective thought is ever present; however, left unchecked distractions spawned from life’s clutter can easily monopolize the time required for inner reflection. That is why, when presented with the opportunity to glance back in time, life’s landscape is often found littered with unfinished plans and projects, unrealized goals and objectives, along with unfulfilled dreams and expectations. Gaze forward and you should see either pristine wilderness or a precipice. There are no pathways leading backwards in time for “do overs”. There is only the option to reflect and then, either repeat, avoid, or correct the mistakes and failures of the past.
The possibility for retrospective thought is ever present; however, left unchecked distractions spawned from life’s clutter can easily monopolize the time required for inner reflection. That is why, when presented with the opportunity to glance back in time, life’s landscape is often found littered with unfinished plans and projects, unrealized goals and objectives, resulting in unfulfilled dreams and expectations. Nevertheless, gaze forward and you should see either pristine wilderness or a precipice. There are no pathways leading backwards in time for “do overs”. There is only the option to reflect and then, either repeat, avoid, or correct the mistakes and failures of the past.
I do not have advice or guidance to provide here, only observation. Some plans should have never been made, some projects never started, some goals and objectives never set. And yet this one piece of advice I will offer. Even though it is the expectation unfulfilled that often cuts deepest to the core causing the spirit to bleed, never stop dreaming. When you are able to see pristine wilderness on the horizon, opportunity still lies ahead. If though, you have come to your precipice, having reached your journey’s end, you need only decide, if you shall jump, leap, or just blindly stumble forward.
I know what lies beyond my precipice. If given the opportunity, I think that I shall leap when it is has been reached. Until then… Though I fully understand the need for retrospective appraisal, I intend to spend more time gazing forward to new opportunities on the horizon, rather than reflecting on the past. Most certainly, the fields of life traversed on the journey of inner reflection provide the mental soil for learning and growth. However you can also find seeds of regret lying dormant in these fields, waiting for the right condition to sprout and become the weeds that choke out future possibility.
