"We move forward when we use our past as guide to draw our map not an anchor"

This was a tweet by Simone Ryder from SWIB Network (www.supportingwomen.co.uk) 

I find this an interesting statement.  It can be so easy to allow our past to affect our future, either positively or negatively. 

Usually a ship will put down anchor in a safe place, somewhere sheltered, waiting until storms pass or allowing the crew to rest.  When at anchor, the ship will move with the tide yet remains on a pivot at the place the anchor is put down. 

Where are our anchors?  Have we put them down somewhere safe?  Holding on to things or people or situations which make us feel safe and secure?  Staying in a job or relationship waiting for the storm to pass or because it's safe.  If the past remains an anchor for us then we can't move forward without eventually having to come back to the point where we're stuck.  We might drift around with the tide but we'll only be able to go so far. 

So how do we use our past as a guide?
I think our past, whether it's good or bad, ideal or far from it, provides lessons for us.  Hopefully we won't make the same mistakes again, but remember where/how we went wrong and not do it again.  The situations we go through in the past play a part in the character we have become today - how we respond and deal with the challenges of life will help to guide our future.  

Pull up the anchor and move forward!