Are You Looking in the Rearview Mirror or Through the Windshield?

Letting Go of the Past, Embracing the Future, Savoring the Present

Picture this: I was recently hit with a wave of nostalgia, swept away by the dreams of a yesterday that never came to be. My mind wandered to a college life I never lived, to crisp autumn weeks surrounded by fiery fall colors, to carefree days on a beach at some run-down spring break villa with my buddies. These were the moments I missed, the ones that slipped through my fingers as I journeyed through life. Now, in my 50s, those adventures are no longer possible, and boy, did I long for them.

But then, a revelation struck me like a bolt of lightning: I was gazing wistfully into my rearview mirror, fixating on all the things that had passed me by, instead of focusing on the vibrant future ahead, seen through my windshield. I realized I was missing out on the incredible experiences still waiting for me.

Imagine this: a future vacation with my wife, maybe even in the northeast where we can bask in the glory of the autumn reds, yellows, and oranges. Picture us walking hand in hand along a serene beach, waves gently lapping at our feet as we stroll by a cozy beachfront condo. And who knows what other adventures await us just beyond the horizon?

This epiphany nudged me to shift my focus. It’s not about what I’ve missed; it’s about what lies ahead. Those missed opportunities are a thing of the past, but there are countless experiences ahead that I can’t even begin to imagine.

And just around the bend, there are moments and adventures I can’t see yet, but I know they are there, waiting for me to experience and enjoy. So here I am, slowly sipping my coffee, savoring the present and dreaming about the future, while gently releasing the grip on what never was.

Life is too short to dwell on the rearview mirror. It’s time to focus on the windshield, where endless possibilities await.