Rearview Mirrors

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis

Sitting in the terrible traffic this morning got me thinking (as usual!). I was staring at the multitude of rearview mirrors in front of me and through mine could see the ones behind my car. 

Rearview mirrors... I can't imagine a car without one... (actually I can because of my many near death experiences with the cabs in India who are not fans of rearview mirrors!)

Anyway, this got me thinking about my journey through life and the important role my past has in it (given it has shaped me to be who I am today). It's quite tricky to find an appropriate way to deal with the past... and HOP! an analogy arose. 

When I am driving, it is necessary to keep glancing at the rearview mirror. 

I remember, back in the time when I started to learn how to drive, how my father made it a point: "Joy, the mirrors." "Are you checking the mirrors?"...

The past is like using the rearview mirror in the car. I believe that our past is not meant to be deleted from existence. 

Through life's journey, it's good to glance back at my past- 

to remind myself and be empowered at how far I've come, 

to smile at the many memories and cheer up, 

to resurface the lessons I have learned from failed experiences, 

to realize that things do get better when I thought they never could, 

to acknowledge that life goes on...

BUT if I stare TOO LONG at the rear view mirror I would definitely miss what is right in front of me. Hahaha and believe me I've been there- both in the car (BOOM! into the car in front of me) and on my journey in life (dwelling and drowning in the past). What I need to remind myself too is that objects in the rearview mirror appear to be closer and bigger, same as memories and past experiences. They are here to guide and not to control me.

I have to keep focused. The view through the windshield is so much clearer than the view in the rearview mirror. I have to keep my eyes on what is to come, on what is in front of me since it is still preventable. I have to look ahead and pay attention on the road. What has happened has happened! I have a say in the present, in what is lying ahead of me... not forgetting to keep glancing at the past and making the best out of it!