MOVING FORWARD - BECAUSE THE PAST IS PAST.

I am sure you have met that one person.

The man that talks ceaselessly about his glory days as a War Veteran and how people like him are not getting what they deserve from the country; the woman who recalls how she was once her school’s Head Girl and was roommates with the newly appointed Minister; the young man who was the best sports man in his school days, won cups for his school and tells you he was Classmates with the Captain of the national football team; the uncle who once had the biggest farm in your town but now has only stories of woe to tell.

These are people who have been there, done all that, can write the books but have nothing to show for all their past conquests. You may find yourself trying to avoid having conversations with them because each time you do, there’s always a point where they find a way to rehash the story you have heard so many times that you can retell it verbatim.

I have met a lot of these people.

They are oftentimes warm, high spirited, pleasant and cheerful but their only problem is that they are stuck in their past. They have refused to let go of the past and would rather glory in their beautiful past than face their not-so-beautiful reality. They chose to live the life they see in the rearview mirror instead of focusing on the road ahead.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong in reliving past victories especially in life’s trying times but they should only serve as catalysts for our faith to overcome the present challenge. It serves as a reminder that if you could do it then, then you can do it now.

The danger is in holding so much on to the past that you chose to not move forward.

Change is life’s only constant, it is going to happen in your life whether you like it or not and sometimes it will be unexpected. It is therefore wise to anticipate change and find the best ways to deal with it.

I learned valuable lessons about change from the book ‘Who Moved My Cheese’ by Spencer Johnson.

The book tells a story of four characters – Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw that live in a maze and daily go out in search of cheese. Cheese represents the things we want in life like financial success, a relationship, a job, freedom, health, recognition, spiritual peace and to which we allude our happiness, comfort and security.

The maze symbolizes the places where we spend time looking for these things.

They had the Cheese to keep them satisfied but after a while, the Cheese was no longer available. When the situation changed how these characters reacted to the situation that is described in this book is the same way we often deal with change.

Sniff had the ability to sense change, while Scurry is quick and mentally acute. On the other hand, Hem and Haw are hesitant with change hoping that someday things would go back to how they used to be and in the process, blaming everyone but themselves. Haw eventually realized that he needed to move with change while Hem stayed hemmed in, refusing to move with the change.

Haw who moved on in search of new Cheese learnt some life changing lessons and left notes in his trail, hoping that someday Hem would leave his comfort zone and read the lessons he left for him.

These are some of the profound lessons:

Change Happens – They Keep Moving the Cheese: Change is inevitable but we can choose to grow or remain as we are. We need to accept this fact as that is the easiest way to move forward.

Anticipate Change, Get Ready for the Cheese to Move: No matter how good things are, never become too comfortable. Always have a Plan B and like the slogan of the Boy’s Scout says ‘be prepared’ so you do not regret later.

Adapt To Change Quickly: When change happens, just go with it. Nothing good will happen if you deny it, overanalyze it or complain about it.

Change – Move with the Cheese: Do not let fear of the unknown hold you back. Take risks and even if you seem not to be making progress, you will learn valuable lessons.

Enjoy Change – Savour the Adventure and Enjoy the Taste of New Cheese: Just accept the thrills of the victories and challenges you will encounter on your search for new cheese.

Be Ready to Change Quickly and Enjoy It Again because they Keep Moving the Cheese:
Again, as you enjoy the new cheese, be wary of your surroundings because change will happen again. You’ll encounter success and failure along the way, but the learnings and experience will be all worth it.

You may be at a point in life’s journey where you feel like you have fallen from grace. It may seem like those with whom you started out have gone so far ahead of you but know that it’s never too late to embrace change.

It’s never about where you have been but where you are now – maximize this moment.

No matter your age you can dream a new dream, pursue it with passion and rewrite your life’s story.