It’s Not Too Late (When We Were Young)
Right Here.
Right Now.
Today.
Right Here.
Right Now.
Today.
Again…
Right Here.
Right Now.
Today.
These are 3 phrases that have been echoing in my mind lately.
Why?
Well, it’s simple, yet hard to admit. I often deal with a lie that constantly tries to paralyze me and cripple my spirit. It goes a little something like this:
It’s too late.
Every now and then I find my brain drifting off to events, issues and memories of the past. You know, I’ll be sitting in a room full of people who are set on having a great time and I’ll have a flashback to a time I dated a wonderful guy who I no longer even speak to.
Everyone’s having a blast and the room is filled with laughter, but I’m in my own head thinking of all the “what ifs” that come with my mental replay.
“What if I wouldn’t have said that?”
“What if I would have been more willing to settle down?”
“What if I never find love like that again?”
and then THE BIG “what if” hits me -
“What if it’s too late?”
I’m not kidding, whenever the big “what if” hits me, I instantly feel like I’m burdened with a ton of fear... fear that tries to paralyze me.
It steals my joy.
It steals my hope.
Most importantly, it steals the opportunity afforded to me in the present moment to grow, love and create new experiences.
I mean, who knows what I’m missing in the present because I’m consumed with the past?
Who knows what I’m missing by being consumed with nostalgia?
I’ll never know, but I do confess: this has been one of the biggest problems I’ve faced and I’m set on changing it.
I’ve let past experiences consume my brain endlessly and have allowed the fear that life might never afford me great, new experiences harden my heart and steal my joy.
Ever been here?
Here are some warning signs that you’re in the same boat that I’m in:
- You “Facebook stalk” past love interests and find yourself sad afterwards
- You scroll through your past Instagram uploads often just for "the heck of it"
- You isolate yourself often because you see no value in hanging out anymore
- You find yourself saddened by the thought of what's next in your life
- You find yourself shrieking away from new opportunities out of fear of disappointing yourself and others
Not all of these actions necessarily point towards one feeling as if it's too late, but a combination of many of them certainly points towards that conclusion.
If you do many of these actions, it’s ok. You’re not alone. I’ve done many of these. That’s right. I said it. I’ve done MANY of these.
That’s why I’m so passionate about these 3 phrases more than ever lately:
Right Here.
Right Now.
Today.
To me, they’re not just phrases. They stand for something. Yes, they have depth and reminders attached to them that truly help me to conquer fear and live with joy… even when things look bleak, stagnant or mundane.
I’m constantly saying to myself:
Right here - Dear self: No matter where you are, something important is taking place right here and if you don’t take the opportunities given to you daily to enjoy life, love, grow and be an adventurer - you’re missing out on a major opportunity to live a life of fulfillment and change the world around you.
Don’t get so caught up in the past or the future that you miss this.
Right now - Dear self: Yesterday was not the best time of your life. Joy and success are not found in your future, alone. Joy and fun are to be found, as well as experienced, today… right now. You’re not too old or young to make a difference. You’re not too old or too young to follow that dream that is inside your heart.
Follow God now. Find out who you are now. Travel the world now. Give all you have now. Speak up now. Conquer your fears now.
Live in the now. You know why? Well, because tomorrow is not promised and you have the opportunity to be great now.
Today - Dear self: Just to remind you, today is temporary. You’ll never get it back, so don’t spend it thinking too much about the past or planning the majority of your future. Don’t get me wrong, reflection and planning are crucial to your existence, but so is living for this day.
Today is special. Today could change everything. Today is yours.
Right Here.
Right Now.
Today.
It’s time to crush the lie that whispers, “It’s too late.”
It’s not.
In fact, our paths are made to shine brighter and brighter as time goes on. (Proverbs 4:18)
So, it’s not too late. In fact, life is getting brighter.
So, let’s focus on right here, right now… today.
Will you join me?
Love you lots,
M