We're not who we were yesterday, nor a year ago, imagine even ten years ago yet our actions mimic who we were yesterday, not today.
What worked yesterday may not work today. Maybe you have moved, changed jobs or your family scenario has shifted. The old has gone, the new is now.
What prohibits living in the now?
I remember when we adopted I would frequently say "I'm gaining muscle to mother five children." I had been strong mothering three children. That's who I had been, but the "then" was not "now" so I had to adapt, grow and change. Today, I feel competent as a mother to five. However, the motherly dance is always changing because guess what, each of my five children are new and different every moment.
I don't want to be locked into who I was yesterday, yet, there is the temptation to lock others into who they were yesterday. I find this profound and challenging. I want to see others in a new light with every encounter. It leaves room for transformation and growth.
In 2008, as a family we repatriated after 10 years abroad, it took me awhile to get my footing and I sought coaching from my sage colleague, Michele Woodward. She asked me to consider myself in light of who I am now, living in Chicago. I believe her hunch was that I was still operating under the persona of who I was when I had been living in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Probing consideration!
What was, is not what is.
A few questions I ask myself regularly follow:
Am I stuck in the yesterday?
How can I embrace myself as I am today?
In light of who I am today, how shall I proceed?
We cannot stop the tick, tock of the clock that is life. Even down to the cellular level, we are changing on a moment by moment basis.
Join me in DeLighting in the NOW.
Ah yes Ms. Dana! I too am not who I was yesterday nor the day before that either. Like our adopted children who often ruffle against transition with its fear of the unknown, we adults too fear the unknown and often seek comfort in the tried and true. Six years ago I had no idea how to parent a severely traumatized child and six months ago I had no idea how to let go of his suitcase and only ponder my own baggage as it is heavy enough to carry. Tomorrow is not promised and yesterday was but a thought, all we ever really have is now. Thanks much as always for the insight.