“Don’t look back, the morning’s breaking, It’s been too long since I felt this way, I don’t mind when I’m not taking, The morning’s coming, Today is the day” -Boston, 1978
I remember the first time I heard that song. I was 7, riding in a car with my mom. It’s funny how those memories stick with you and even funnier how certain songs remind you of a time or place in life that you want to go back to. But the song says, “Don’t look back.” Maybe what the band really meant is, “You can’t go back.”
Do you ever find yourself wanting to go back to a time or season in life when things were different or much simpler? We all have those thoughts, I know I do. But in a perfect world, if I could go back, would I, really? If I’m honest with myself my answer would probably be, “No!” I wouldn’t trade my life experiences and lessons for anything. They’ve defined me, shaped me, and made me into the person that I am. I like that person.
I received a text message this morning from a friend that I work with. She was running a bit late getting to the office. The message said, “My dog is out & chasing tractors. Going back to put him up & will be on my way.”
MY REPLY: “That’s such a country song!”
HER REPLY: “LOL. And coming from a Jersey girl. Ain’t no going back now!”
I don’t want to go back either. I want to go forward. The moment I stop moving forward I stand still, I stop living. Life is too short to stand still. When I get to the end of my life, I want to be out of breath. I don’t want to coast. Coasting is easy, it’s for sissies!
Life is about making memories, no doubt. I love the memories I have, especially the ones with my family and friends. I love to look at old photo albums but I also love to close them, put them back on the shelf, grab my kids and my iPhone, and go take new pictures, making new memories.
I hate it when things stay the same. I like change. Change represents forward motion. I’m like an airplane, the moment I stop forward and upward motion I crash. That’s who I am.
Who are you? Are you the kind of person who always looks back? Do you find yourself living in the past? Are you more focused on what was than what is?
Feel the moment! Seize it! Do something crazy and spontaneous! Make a memory! Allow new experiences to shape and redefine you. Don’t be the person you used to be, be the person you are today. Don’t Look Back!