Why Reflection Works

When we reflect on our lives and our past, we learn about who we are and why we do what we do...some of the experiences we wished never happened, while others we can cherish. These reflections will help us shape who we want to become in the future.

Of course, you have to want to change if you continually make mistakes. Some people reflect on their lives and believe every experience was acceptable, even when they hurt others. Then there are people who refuse even to reflect at all. They just do whatever they want and don’t care about the consequences.

Making changes will help you live a better life. If you learn that you have wronged others in the past, and you don’t want to repeat this, then take the time to reflect what you did so you can recognize it in the future. Many twelve step programs recommend making amends to those you have hurt in the past so that you can move on with a clean slate.

Don’t focus on just the bad stuff...there is also plenty of good you have done as well. Play up on your positive aspects and remember the good, but acknowledge and learn from the experiences that were not so positive.

Above all, don’t dwell on your past. It’s good to reflect, but if you do it too much you will become too cautious. Then you will stop taking the necessary risks to move you forward. Even with reflection, you are going to make mistakes and maybe wrong people again. As long as you continue to recognize that and try to do better the next time, that is what you want to strive for.

It doesn’t matter what age you are to reflect on your past. If you are young, you may believe that you haven’t lived enough to have made major mistakes. But, young people often make mistakes without realizing the consequences. Usually, parents will be there to help them understand, but that isn’t always the case. This is when reflection can help.

Too many older people hold the belief that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But, that is simply not true. People can learn at any age, and taking the time to reflect on your life can give insight you never thought possible. You will find many people over the age of fifty going back to college. If they couldn’t learn, this trend would have ceased long ago.

People have to determine how they want to live their lives and then take steps to make that happen. Often, moving on and forward in life requires looking into the past and being honest about where you’ve been so that you can get a better sense of the future.

Make it a practice to reflect on your life...reflecting will help you make better decisions and move you forward with living your Intentional Life.

Until next time...

Cheers!

Lisa

P.S. Reflection is one PATH members walk in my online program, A Pilgrimage to Self because once we examine the past, look at the present, we can imagine the future. To learn more and get updates, sign-up for the VIP Waitlist...new members will be welcomed at the end of March for our SPRING CLEANING for a NEW YOU program. Here’s a link: https://www.lisamcgrath.me/thank-you-for-your-interest-in-a-pilgrimage-to-self