ON LOOKING BACK

“We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience” (George Washington). Here’s how to benefit from regretful experiences of the past: Graciously accept your defeats; humbly admit your failures; willingly accept the consequences of your mistakes; ardently learn from your missteps; courageously ignore your adversaries and distractors; freely forgive those who have hurt you; and fully surrender your hopes to God’s will. You cannot undo nor ignore the past. But you can make sure you don't repeat what you did or failed to do.  Setbacks shouldn’t set you back. They are stepping-stones. Step on the stones and you’ll move upward and forward. Look back, but don’t dwell there. (Philippians 3:13, 14; Isaiah 43:18, 19.)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim