The school bell has rung, class is now in session.

I have an affinity for classic movies, especially ones in black and white. I thought of one recently that shared a valuable lesson, but first let me tell you what led up to me reflecting on it.

I was talking to my childhood best friend about the good ole days, and how care-free things were. After hours and hours of conversation, we got off the phone feeling giddy about the past, and chuckling at the present. It is amazing how we can romanticize the past, while standing in the turbulent present.

This brings me to, Essie Mae and New Paris. In the movie Hot Spell, the mother, Alma Duval was involved in a crisis. Her husband was having an affair, and it appeared everyone was aware of it, but her. She spent most of her time catering to her husband, and adult-children’s needs. Throughout the movie she continuously asked her husband, “When could they go back to New Paris to visit her best friend Essie Mae, their old house, and other close friends?” Whenever she asked, annoyed, her husband would offer empty promises about going “soon”.

As time progressed, their lives began to unravel at the seams. All that Alma could think about was going to see her old friend, Essie Mae and New Paris. Alma truly felt this would solve all of their problems. Needless to say, when they finally made it back to New Paris, it was not anything like it was before they left.

Their home, the people and the environment had utterly changed. They noted this as they walked back to the train station to go back home. Alma could not believe how long she had held on to the memory of New Paris. Her obsession with the past had consumed her so much, that she missed out on most of the present. She was so glad to finally discover that it was no longer like it used to be. She was free to live!

Free to Live

Are you being held hostage by a romanticized memory from your past?

Word of advice, leave it there. It is perfectly normal to reflect on a moment, person or place, but do not allow yourself to dwell. The definition of dwell is to live or reside in.

Alma spoke so much about the living in the past, that she lost touch with reality. It took her going to visit New Paris in order to learn the ugly truth, happiness no longer resided there.

This post is meant to save you a trip. #youarewelcome

Instead of having to visit your version of New Paris, you can decide here and now to leave it in the past. There are new opportunities for you to take advantage of now, that will lead you to your next God-given assignment. Focus, and surround yourself with people, places and things that contribute good things to your life.

Do not continue to reside with the ghost from the past, it will have your head in the clouds for so long, that by the time you wake up, you will realize life had passed you by.

It is not too late, leave the past in the past, and forge ahead!

The school bell has rung, class dismissed.