Did you know that I won the 50 yard dash when I was in 1st grade? Yep…. It was an epic battle of brawn and speed between me and fourteen other 7 year old boys. Chris Luke was favored to win, but he had no idea what he was up against. No one saw me coming from behind. I wonder how that second place ribbon looks up on his wall.
In 3rd grade, Mrs. Pesko said I had the best cursive writing in my class.
I played the lead role of Santa Claus in our school play when I was in fifth grade, and I killed it. I was the most convincing hundred pound Santa that audience had ever seen, and with good reason. I practiced my “Ho Ho Ho” like it was Shakespeare.
In 8th grade, I was chosen to be Mrs. Brantley’s teacher’s aide. She was every student’s favorite, so she had her pick of us all… And that year, she picked me.
In high school, I attended a school for the arts. I won a few state championships for singing and writing, and I received scholarships to multiple colleges.
Are you yawning yet? Bored to tears? Skimming? Skipping to the next part, ready to read something that matters? Isn’t it interesting? These are all pivotal moments in my life – events in my history that defined who I was at the time, both to myself and to others. And yet today, none of it matters much at all. It’s over. It’s in the past – irrelevant and forgotten by everyone but me and Chris Luke.
I could as easily make you a list of my most embarrassing moments. There’s plenty there that would have you on the floor, laughing. Or I could list for you the many times I’ve come up short of my goals, my hopes and plans. But if we’re gonna look at this, why waste the time or space?
Let’s go there.
In my mind, in this moment, I’m thinking about my greatest failure. I’m thinking about that moment I’d do most anything to take back and relive differently. The moment I’d least want you to know about… the one I most want to forget.
My friends, let’s be honest.
We’ve all made choices we’d un-choose.
We’ve all felt the sting of regret.
We bear the mark of our mistakes.
Each of us has been judged and rejected,
Unwanted and cast aside.
Have you ever wished it could have been different? The harm done to you, the harm you did? Have you ever wished you could relive those days? I have. But maybe you’ve noticed what I’ve noticed. I’ve never won the chance to relive my past by wishing I could. But I’ve wasted plenty of my present wishing I could.
It’s become cliche to say, “Yesterday is in the past”. But if that’s such a throw away statement, why are so many of us stuck there? I mean, seriously… Look around you – and take a look in the mirror with me. How many of us are nursing old wounds – crippled by past failures, unwilling or unable to move on?
To the other extreme – how many of us are resting on some long past moment of greatness? You earned your PhD? Great! How did you change the world today, Doctor? They named a building after you? Awesome! What will you contribute tomorrow? Some of us are so enamored by our past successes that we’re unable to see the purpose today holds for us.
You were made for more.
You were fashioned together for this very moment and for the possibility tomorrow holds.
There’s little good to be found in dwelling on the sweetness or the pain of yesterday.
You are here.
Your failures don’t define you – nor do your successes.
Not as much as you might think.
Your potential does.
Your passion does.
Your progress does.
It’s time to lay aside what has been.
Good or bad, they are the former things.
There’s more race to be run, and it’s all ahead of you.
What is possible from here?
This Post Has 10 Comments
Comments are closed.
I agree, our past successes and failures don’t define us now. You can’t change your past so just let it be. You can’t stay the same person forever because things tend to change so whatever you were in the past won’t probably matter after a while. I know people who need to read this post. They are those who still judge others for their shortcomings in the past. It’s also a must for those who don’t want to turn into this woman I know, who still tells everyone that she learned how to read at the age of three…. as if it really matters now, when she’s 30. :)
HA!! That’s great! Made me laugh… Did I mention I potty trained at 16 months? ;)
Thank you, Chance. Thank you!
Thank YOU. I appreciate you reading! :)
This is beautiful Chance.. what a gifted writer you are! You were born to encourage people. This is a challenging post. As I ponder what IS my potential, I know I have no potential unless God creates it, and there is no passion unless God gives it, and there is no progress unless God drives the train… I know that wherever I am is where God has me. I want more potential, I long for a fiery passion, and oh how I want progress in whatever He puts my hands to. Be thou my vision. God go before me!
These are truly beautiful words coming from someone in your situation, Lisa. Thank you for taking the time to write them.
That fiery passion you long for… I think you’ve got it. It just looks different than it once did. And a part of me wonders if it’s more ‘right’ than ever before.
Love you.
Thanks for another great reminder, Chance! I’ve known success in the past, and I’ve certainly known failure as well. It’s easy to give either one more weight and power than they deserve. Thanks for the reminder that the future starts from wherever I am TODAY. Lately I’ve been praying that God will just help me to do the right next thing. I am where I am, and what has happened has happened. May we all move forward doing the right next thing. Thanks again, my friend!
Buddy… as always, thank you for your incredible perspective.
The next right thing…. I dig that a lot.
Ok, Chance you made me think again. I will apply this to myself later, I need to some time to ponder my present actions and future plans as I reflect on my successes and failures. Great stuff! But I still am thinking about you right now as a dad. Running fast; helps you keep up with those energic children. Acting; well that has a multitude of uses in your various roles. Singing; good night lullabyes, driving on trip songs, and wake up sleepy head tunes. Aide; helpmate to wife/mom. Writing; you are nailing it. So, keep us inspired and moving along. Thanks!
Wow, Keith. Those are extremely kind words… Thank you so much.