On the eve of my 46th birthday, I lay in bed unable to sleep. Not that birthdays have ever been a big deal to me but since I became a grandfather, I’m looking at life a little differently.

I started thinking about what I’ve accomplished in life. Thinking hard, trying to list off what my claim to fame might be. I thought about my kids and how I’ve had a positive effect on people. I tried to recount what contribution I had made to the human race. I kept looking back on life for some meaning.

Then it hit me!

I was thinking all wrong. In fact I had allowed my thinking to become dangerous.

I tell people to keep looking toward the future. You’ve read it here, but here I was, looking back.

Someone once said that if your future looks brighter than your past, then you have a future. (no that wasn’t me)

Spending too much time thinking about what you have done (or not done) ends up providing an excuse to do nothing. Or at least not dream about your future.

I don’t know about you, but I found that certain milestones in my life caused me to be more reflective than others. The birth of our granddaughter, death of a grandparent, graduation of a child, the fact that I didn’t have to buy school supplies this year for the first time in eighteen years. Maybe events like these cause you to look back just a little more than you should.

Here’s some ideas on how to readjust:

• Do something you’ve never done before. Trying something new will help you change your focus from the past to future. It may be more difficult that you realize but it will be worth the effort.
• Give yourself a mental kick in the pants. A not so subtle mental readjustment may be all you need. Be firm with yourself and get your mind back where it should be. Looking forward and upward instead of focussed on the tiny navel in the middle of your belly.
• Dream with your spouse, friend or other significant person in your life. Sharing dreams with others is a sure way to get excited about the future again. One caveat: make sure those you dream with are encouragers.
• Buy some new clothes. I know clothes don’t sound like an answer and I’m not encouraging comfort shopping, but it’s been said that clothes make the man. I went out and bought a new pair of jeans today only to discover that I’ve lost one waist size. Wooohoo! Feeling better about the future already.
• Take a trip. Where have you always wanted to go? Where have you never been before? Well? What are you waiting for?