Look Back to Move Forward
Written to Speak Blog.
Written by Tanner Olson.
@writtentospeak
Look Back to Move Forward
@writtentospeak
I’m learning that looking back helps me move forward. I can’t stay in the past, but I can learn from it and move on.
Moving on is the important part.
The hard part.
The part that takes courage and trust and faith.
Most days I’d rather be in what was, rather than what is, but that’s not living.
And I want to live.
Maybe like you, I am good at moving from one thing to the next without pausing to be grateful for the change.
3, 2, 1 the ball drops, we clink glasses and I am done with what was without ever giving it a moment of reflection.
But what if we paused for a second to reflect on where we once were to where we now are?
What will we find?
What will we uncover?
There are things I need to sit with either to celebrate them or lay them to rest.
There are moments I need to hold, either to life up or put down.
There are dreams and fears and goals and relationships I need to reflect upon before I move forward.
Because I am moving forward.
As we open up the calendar to a new year and new decade, I want to encourage you to sit and be for a moment.
Sit and be.
Maybe grab a journal to jot some thoughts down.
Processing can be painful, but it can also bring clarity and growth.
Here are a few questions I’ve been asking myself:
What did you learn in 2019?
Where did you see God move in 2019?
Who do you need to thank for helping you make it through this past year?
What is your favorite photo you took this past year?
What brought you joy in 2019?
What is a memory from this past year that you want to share with someone in 20 years?
What are you leaving behind in 2019?
What are you bringing with you into 2020?
If you want to take this a step further, apply these questions to the past decade.
You might need another journal.
What other questions would you add?
Much Love,
Tanner Olson
Written to Speak
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