Recently we returned to places from our past, from a school where we now offer workshops to trails, homes and family spaces where we once struggled with fear, poor health and survival mode. Standing in these same places as new versions of ourselves showed how far we have come and reminded us that the journey is not random, but full of meaningful moments that can fuel us to keep going and trust the path ahead.
Recently, I was brought back to a place from my past. I once stood in the same place, a completely different person. There is something powerful about returning to where we once struggled and realizing we have become a new person. And knowing that changes everything moving forward after we get to witness that.
Recently I stood in a school offering a workshop, reminded of my teenage self and everything in-between. I used to skip class if there was a presentation because I was too scared of being seen. Was I really the one standing there being called “Mrs?” Did I finally start believing in myself and following my heart, ending up in new places, doing things that I want to be doing?
An old story about this that I wrote appeared today from one year ago. If you find yourself in an old place, as a new person, may that experience empower you, inspire you, and give you fuel to keep going!
“Recently, I’ve found myself standing beside people who are returning to places from their past. They are having a full circle moment and they are without question a different version of themselves. They end up in a place they used to be in at a different stage of life and then they reflect on how things have changed since then.
I was with a friend on a hike on a trail she used to walk on every week during challenging times. She was physically unhealthy and so was her dad so they would walk the trail together to improve their health. Fast forward to now, she makes every possible effort to take care of herself and she is a brand new and healthy version of herself.
I went for a walk with someone else recently and we walked by a couple of houses that they helped build over a decade ago. During that time, they were experiencing personal challenges and life was tough to say the least. I thought about how much they had changed, how much their life had changed and everything that I had witnessed in their life since then and how far they had come. We didn’t speak about it out loud but I knew they ended up there again for a reason and they had a powerful moment.
I also have found myself sitting on my grandpa’s deck today realizing that a few years ago I sat in this exact chair, wondering if I was ever going to get through one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Now I’m sitting here feeling alive, energetic, and healthier with a knowing that it’s only getting better.
Just like the other people I was with, I also felt this moment was for a reason and had a chance to reflect on everything that had happened in my life since then, how far I have come, why everything needed to happen how it did, the significance of it, what has changed, and where I am going now.
Another person walked the grounds of an old school. What an incredible opportunity to be brought back to a place from the past to remember who we were and realize who we have become. In a sense it’s as if we have left parts of ourselves behind in those places. Fear, survival mode, poor health, confusion, trauma. Then we get to return and we can clearly see the change, feel the shift and witness our own evolution. A moment to lock in the change, understand something that we didn’t back then and move forward. What a blessing to be in the presence of those who are having these experiences.”
“If you ever find yourself back to where you started, it may not be by accident. You may realize you’re not the same as you once were. And maybe that’s the point.”
To trust that the journey wasn’t random and that every part brought us somewhere meaningful even if we didn’t quite understand it at the time. The journey ahead won’t be random either, even in the challenging times. Trusting there is purpose to present and future life experiences makes it easy to embrace and feel grateful for the full journey. It doesn’t make life magically easy everyday but it makes it meaningful because you know that it all makes sense in the end.
May you see and feel this gift when life offers it to you, and may it inspire you to find meaning in every part of the journey.