Who Were You Then?

Who were you then?

Do you ever take time to think of your old self, the person you were many years ago? Mostly, we live our lives day-to-day and even work to be mindfully present. We learn the benefit of being in the Here and Now, clearing your mind and bringing it to this moment so that you can move into the next moment from this place, this space, peacefully and with ease. Yet when opportunity presents itself to remember the old you, it can be helpful to take advantage and ask yourself who was I then? And who am I now? Opportunities to connect to your former self abound. When you go home for a holiday, go to a high school or college reunion, hear from someone you grew up with, drive-through a place that is reminiscent for you, there are many times that you might be presented with the opportunity to ask yourself: Who was I then? And who am I now?

At my 35th College reunion, we stayed in the dorm that I lived in my freshman year, 39 years prior. Who was I? The 18-year-old girl who drove up with her parents to be let off and start a new phase, a new life no longer under the watchful loving eye of parents who provided a safe and privileged space in which to grow. Who was that young person, what was she thinking and feeling, what did she think she would become? And now, 39 years later, who is this middle-aged woman driving up with her own thoughts about the life that became the reality of that 18-year-old girl. Who am I now? What has my life become, how have I been, how did it all go to this point, am I okay? Am I happy?

And further still. Walking the campus and seeing other women, older women attending there 45th, 55th, even 60th reunion, who will I be then? How will my life go over the next 10, 20, 30 or more years? There is more freedom to be comfortable in your own skin, flexibility because you have spent the time and done the work. Now is a time to discover you again. Who was I then? Who am I now? Who will I be? The choice is yours. The opportunity is yours. The time is now. Open your mind and imagine the possibilities that could be yours if you learn to breathe, clear your mind and get quiet, ask yourself who do I want to be and how do I want to be, and perhaps take a risk. What might you regret if you don't take a risk now?  What might you risk if you live only with your regrets now?

Who was I then? Who am I now? Who will I be? The choice is yours, imagine the possibilities and take the risk! Enjoy!