Outgrow Your Past

Your past isn’t you.

Your past is a series of many versions of you, many memories all spliced together throughout your life.

You might bind to a particular version of yourself, one that you’re afraid to leave behind.

It makes sense; we all do it.

But true growth comes not from letting go, but from understanding every experience you’ve ever had has contributed, for better or for worse, to the person you are right now.

Each passing moment offers the opportunity to change direction, to become a better person.

You might want change, you might know you need it.

But you might also be scared of leaving your former self behind.

It isn’t easy, because growth doesn’t just change your relationship with yourself, it changes your relationship with the people around you.

That’s a scary proposition.

Once you step out of the shadows and get comfortable with change, there’s a chance the people around you will show their true colours.

They might find it threatening, because your relationship with them is built on you being who you used to be.

They might find it uncomfortable, because your progress is a reflection of their shortcomings.

They might feel like they’re losing you, because if you start to grow and they don’t, there’s only one way that ends.

But there’s also a chance they’ll be in your corner cheering you on, proving that your relationship with them wasn’t built on something pretentious.

They might offer relevant criticism where it applies, and you might do the same.

Maybe you’ll grow together.

Hopefully you do.

But maybe you won’t, and that’s okay.

In the end this is about you and your future, and growth comes with risk.

When you start to outgrow your past, you’ll naturally break free from the deadwood you’ve been holding onto.

You’ll become something more, something powerful.

The people around you will either want the best for you, or the worst for you.

Stay close to the people who seek the same truth as you, and support them as much as they support you.

Move on from the people trying to drag you down; they might just succeed.

Become aligned with the past versions of yourself.

Understand that they’re looking at you now with a smile on their face.

And lastly, dream big and stay rational.