by Stacia Elizabeth Whitbeck

Created on: April 13, 2008

Whatever you thought about in the past is what you are living right now. If you are still thinking the same way, about the same things then you will continue to relive the past.

Living with your past means that you are not using positive thinking to create the kind of life you want to live.

The past is a great teacher and guide. It showed you what you like and don't like. It taught you a better way to do things. It shaped the person you are right now and if you happen not to like yourself very much you can change that right now.

You can't change the past or the way you were thinking in the past. You can use the past to change the way you think right now. You can bring into your life everything you want by thinking of the things that make you happy.

The only limitations on your success and future happiness are the ones you dole out. Maybe your parents told you the only way to success is to work hard and save every dime. Maybe you feel obligated to society's unspoken rules. Maybe there are little voices in your head that say you can't or you shouldn't.

Maybe in the past you lived by these limitations and added some of your own. Stop living in or with the past and start thinking your way to a bright, shiny tomorrow tailored to what you want.

If you are sitting at a table with a pile of unpaid bills all around you, smile. Smile and imagine how it feels to have all those bills paid. Be grateful that all of your bills are paid. Do this everyday. Never speak of debt or how many unpaid bills you have. Speak only of financial freedom and it will come to pass.

This exercise works with any undesirable aspect in your life. Think only positive thoughts about your health, relationships, family and work. Focus only on the positive aspects in your life and you will find that the unwanted things will fall away.

The past is not a demon or something that you have to get over. It's just a place in time that you used to be in. Be grateful for what it has shown you and for helping you to be where you are right now.

Don't live with your past. Live right now the way you've always wanted to, even if you have to pretend a little. You are rethinking your future and in the future you will be standing in the very place you created.

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