Are you Living in the Past?

“Today is the past of your future.  So, make today count for the sake of history.  Use your words, time and choices wisely.”  – Fela Durotoye

It is such an odd thing to think about…that today, this moment, this minute is history the second it is over.  That in the future – today is your past.  In fact, as you read this in YOUR present it is in my history. 

As our kids all go back to school, they will spend a good bit of time looking at history – US History, World History, History of Science & Technology, Civil Rights History, World Wars, and on and on. 

This is extremely important – to know the history of your family, your culture, your country, and your faith.  But what about the history of yesterday, last week, last month and last year?

We can all agree that we are living “history in the making” during these unprecedented times.  Our grandchildren and great grandchildren will learn about COVID 19 and all the social unrest we are experiencing in their history books for years to come.

Yet, I cannot help but ponder the moment by moment history that we each make every day.  The words and actions we choose that shape who we are, what we stand for, what we do or don’t achieve, what we will be remembered for… our personal, individual history.

“The most important history is the history we make today.”  – Henry Ford

So many of the speakers, entrepreneurs, and professionals that we work with want to make their “mark” on history.  They create, they speak, and they influence others in so many ways.  But many limit themselves by looking at the past, looking historically at what people have and haven’t achieved in their field of expertise and they struggle to break out of that mold and to do things differently.

“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.” – Juliette Gordon Law, founder of Girl Scouts

History is not the maker of what happens today.  WE ARE.  We get to choose how to be, what to say, what to strive for and what to become.  We get to set the limits or go for the stars.  We get to create our moment-to-moment decisions that ultimately shape our history.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today” – FDR

To create the history that you desire you have to start with today. 

• If you want to grow your business – start today. 
• If you want to have more influence – start today. 
• If you want better relationships with your family – start today. 
• If you want to reach for the stars – start today. 

It takes clarity on what you want, and confidence that you can achieve it.  If you have doubts…figure it out.  Seek guidance, find resources you need, ask for help! 

Set down your pride and your fears, throw doubt to the wind and look history in the eye and say

“You are mine!  You are my history and I have the ability to create you today!”