When you reflect on your 2013, do you find yourself focusing on what seem to be setbacks? As I have been reflecting on my own 2013, I see highlights of positive memories and accomplishments-ones I had never achieved previously. And, I also cringe at some personal challenges that made me feel like my life was moving in backward motion.
Backward motions are illusions, though, so, if you have this same cringe when you reflect back, don’t fall for it. The mind can be tricky. I was reminded of this over Thanksgiving.
When I was visiting my friend with four kids, we spent some time on the soccer field bleachers watching her pre-Olympic all star daughter play with clever precision. Not knowing much about the sport, I had a lot of questions. It looked funny to see her daughter’s team take the ball further from the goal for a bit and then maneuver forward again. When I first saw them “going the wrong way,” I asked, “What are they doing?” My friend said, “Sometimes you have to go backwards, to advance the ball and score.” They were maneuvering around the competing team.
