“The past is just a bump in the road to the future.” - Jordan Spillman (8.10)
The quote that I want to share with you today comes from my youngest son, Jordan Spillman.
Though he is my youngest son, he is currently 28 and about to turn 29.
This quote came in the summer following his High School graduation. And, as a little bit of background, my wife had suffered a heart attack the summer before and we almost lost her. That was a very traumatic experience for us all! Since I don't know the EXACT date that he came up with the quote I'm not sure of the specifics in relation to timing, but our whole family went through a frustrating transition in August 2010.
Without going into details, Jordan has gone through quite a few "bumps" since the time of this quote but he continues to press on. Yes, I am PROUD of him!
I know that, at the time, he had no idea what life had in store for him over the next 9.5 years but, the fact is, none of us do, right? I would say that his quote has had "skin" put on it and that it (the quote) has breathed "life" and has become more than a collection of words.
Friend, the quote is GOOD ADVICE!
Just go back to the article featuring "Quote #12" where I emphasize, once again, the fact that TODAY is truly all that we have available to us. Not the past, not the future, but TODAY.
The past is just a "bump in the road".
But those bumps can either be just a small thing or something that can actually cause you to end up in a wreck, the hospital or even dead. YIKES! All bumps are NOT created equal!
So it is with life. We ALL have our struggles and, believe me, even those that you think are "immune" to such, certainly are not. If you have yet to experience hardship in your life then, friend, it's not "if" but "when". I'm not trying to be pessimistic. I'm simply being honest and trying to help you prepare for what WILL come to pass at some time in your life.
Two quick thoughts:
1. What will you do when it happens?
2. What will you do AFTER it happens?
When these "bumps" come along in your life you must decide that you will KEEP MOVING FORWARD and that you will NOT allow that "bump" to cause you to quit and give up. Yes, again, I DO understand that there can be some incredibly hard situations that can cross our path as we go through life. I'm not down playing that fact. But friend, the fact remains that we just simply cannot allow ourselves to curl up in a little ball and give up.
So, WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN IT HAPPENS? The time to decide is NOW, before that time arrives. And, if you have already experienced such things in your life then, friend, you are better prepared to handle whatever "bump" may (and likely will) come your way.
Just as importantly, we must also decide, in advance, the answer to the following question: WHAT WILL YOU DO AFTER IT HAPPENS? Remember, your PAST does NOT determine your FUTURE.
Yes, learn from the past and do all you can to not make the same mistakes again. Where there is pain, hurt and suffering, learn the lessons that are provided through the process that you had to go through, take them to heart and move on, a better person.
But, whatever you do, do NOT allow yourself to continually LOOK BACK at the past with regret. Yes, I understand but, friend, do all that you can to do WHAT you can that may need to be done and then MOVE ON.
Do NOT be "derailed" or "side-lined". Remember that "the past is just a bump in the road to the future."
Just go back to the article featuring "Quote #12" where I emphasize, once again, the fact that TODAY is truly all that we have available to us. Not the past, not the future, but TODAY.
The past is just a "bump in the road".
But those bumps can either be just a small thing or something that can actually cause you to end up in a wreck, the hospital or even dead. YIKES! All bumps are NOT created equal!
So it is with life. We ALL have our struggles and, believe me, even those that you think are "immune" to such, certainly are not. If you have yet to experience hardship in your life then, friend, it's not "if" but "when". I'm not trying to be pessimistic. I'm simply being honest and trying to help you prepare for what WILL come to pass at some time in your life.
Two quick thoughts:
1. What will you do when it happens?
2. What will you do AFTER it happens?
When these "bumps" come along in your life you must decide that you will KEEP MOVING FORWARD and that you will NOT allow that "bump" to cause you to quit and give up. Yes, again, I DO understand that there can be some incredibly hard situations that can cross our path as we go through life. I'm not down playing that fact. But friend, the fact remains that we just simply cannot allow ourselves to curl up in a little ball and give up.
So, WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN IT HAPPENS? The time to decide is NOW, before that time arrives. And, if you have already experienced such things in your life then, friend, you are better prepared to handle whatever "bump" may (and likely will) come your way.
Just as importantly, we must also decide, in advance, the answer to the following question: WHAT WILL YOU DO AFTER IT HAPPENS? Remember, your PAST does NOT determine your FUTURE.
Yes, learn from the past and do all you can to not make the same mistakes again. Where there is pain, hurt and suffering, learn the lessons that are provided through the process that you had to go through, take them to heart and move on, a better person.
But, whatever you do, do NOT allow yourself to continually LOOK BACK at the past with regret. Yes, I understand but, friend, do all that you can to do WHAT you can that may need to be done and then MOVE ON.
Do NOT be "derailed" or "side-lined". Remember that "the past is just a bump in the road to the future."
This blog article is being published on Thanksgiving Day 2019 and I wanted to take a moment and wish you, your family and loved ones a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy every moment, cherish every moment and be thankful for even the small blessings in your life.
As you do so, always be sure to...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
Mike
