Check that rear-view mirror

Even though I talk a good deal about living in the present—and also about following your passion and creating new dreams when old ones die, I still think an occasional look in the rear-view mirror is helpful.

Yesterday morning I did what I do from time to time: look back in old journals to see what was on my mind a year or two ago. It is always immensely informative. It's also encouraging to see how I've moved on in the intervening time. Sometimes I find things that I haven't changed yet but that still call out for my attention. It's really about listening to your life.

My early 2010 journal revealed that I was still grieving the loss of the workplace I'd had for 22 years. I was still hurt and angry about being Reduced In Force and having no choice or control over when I would leave a job where I still thought I had work to do.

Now, some three years later, however, I am so thankful to be in a new career—one that is filled with heart and passion for me. It's also one where I feel I can use some of the same skills I needed as a journalist when I interviewed people for the stories I wrote: I asked questions to get at the "nut" of a story and sifted through all the answers to find the gold, the important things that would go into my story. I wouldn't go back for any amount of money! I love what I'm doing now!

Whether you keep a journal or not, what would a look back a year or two (or five) reveal to you about yourself? About where you've been and how far you've come? About where you're going—and whether it's really where you want to go? Take some time to check that rear-view mirror. Celebrate how far you've come. Or make plans to change those things that no longer fit for you. Life is about becoming who and what you were created to be. Where are you on that journey?