Elizabeth George
“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” ~ Will Rogers
“Yesterday” can be a source of beautiful memories of cherished people in your life, wonderful experiences, and joy. It can also be the source of feelings that limit you in your life today.
We hold onto yesterday as an excuse for why we haven’t accomplished something, pointing to failures, harsh criticism from others, humiliation, self-doubt and more. We cram hurt feelings way down deep inside that squash our self-esteem, make us shy away from opening ourselves to love, trust, and putting ourselves out there once again to try something new.
I think we all have a bucketload of these yesterdays that we need to shed in order to live our present lives to the fullest. I’m suggesting that we all dig deep, look at these things, realizing that yesterday cannot be changed. We can build a stronger, fuller happier TODAY by letting all of that go.
This really speaks to me now. My life has changed completely since last February when I died twice in the hospital and was given a second chance via surgeons and a pacemaker when my heart stopped. I had never had heart problems before, but would have been gone if I hadn’t heeded the strong recommendation that I head for the ER after I saw my clinic doctor.
Our son flew 24 hours from Thailand to take care of my husband and me when we were suddenly too ill to take care of each other. We had to face some harsh realities in Arkansas, where we had lived for almost 40 years. We couldn’t take care of our home, 8 acres, and our pets anymore. We made the decision to get rid of everything in the States and move to Thailand to be close to our son. We would retire, rebuild our health, shed the responsibilities we had been shouldering, and concentrate on enjoying life. Leaving 40 years worth of my art and our ‘stuff’ was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. Re-homing our pets was the hardest, but we found the perfect homes for our dog and cat, and so could leave knowing they would be loved and well taken care of.
2 weeks after we moved here, my husband fell and had a stroke. He is now in a nursing home, completely disabled with a damaged brain. Unless we have a miracle, he won’t be able to leave the nursing home. Thankfully, we have found a truly wonderful place with caring people. We visit my husband 3 times a week now, rather than sharing the retirement we planned.
I am in a new country, living by myself for the first time in my life, trying to learn some Thai phrases, learn about the money, learn the customs here, learn how to get the basics done, grateful that our son is here to help both of us.
I am learning to embrace TODAY. Yesterday is full of some wonderful memories, but NOW is what is important. What used to be doesn’t apply. I have some wonderful opportunities to shape a life that makes me smile all day long, moving from one fun activity to the next, learning new things every day, rebuilding my health.
http://www.powerofpositivity.com
I am concentrating on living my life to the fullest, making each day count, concentrating on what is WONDERFUL about my life now, grateful for all I have.
Yesterday is gone. I don’t make ‘plans’ anymore, embracing NOW. I am feeling stronger for it, concentrating on being the best person I can be TODAY.
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