Time to Reflect
Statistically speaking, the age of retirement is 67. The average life expectancy is 78. Most people will work about 50 years of their life, and then they will retire. Seems a little depressing to summarize it like this, but it is the truth. So maybe right now is the perfect time to reflect on where you have been, where you are currently at, and where you are heading.
Have you ever noticed how easily we can become preoccupied or consumed with looking into the future. There is nothing wrong with looking ahead and planning for things to come. Sometimes, we can get caught up looking ahead, toward things that we are hoping for, or excited about. When we do this, we can miss out on the present moments at hand and we miss out on the things happening here and now.
There are times in life when it is very helpful to take a short period of time to reflect on the past. Doing this can help us appreciate where we are in the present. Looking back and recognizing personal growth and progress can help us to appreciate where we have been, as well as where were’re currently are at, along with what you have. If we do not reflect on the past and what has gotten us to this moment, then we can overlook the present blessings that we have.
Reflecting on the past does have several benefits. It can help us to realize how far we have come in our journey. It can help us realize all the blessings that we have been given along the way. It can help us see where we have struggled, as well as how we have succeeded. Moments of reflection give us perspective, as well as opportunities to make redirections and adjustments.
There is a reason that a rearview mirror is small and the windshield of a car is big. The windshield allows us to see where we are heading, and what lies ahead. The rearview mirror is small and allows us to glimpse what is behind us and where we have been. It is not safe to drive a car while focusing on the images in the rearview mirror. That is not the direction that the car is heading.
The same can apply to you and me. In life, if you choose to only focus on the past, then you will neglect where you are at this moment. You will miss the blessings of this moment. And if you are only focused on the past, then you will have trouble moving forward. Periodically reflecting will allow you to check your growth and progress. These moments of reflection are opportunities for perspective and redirection. Keep living life a day at a time. Stay focused on the moments at hand. Keep looking forward, to see where you are heading. And periodically, take time to reflect on your journey. Take a little time today or this week to see where you have been, the progress that you have made, and recognize areas that need work.