​Why plow and not look back?

​Why plow and not look back?

Dear Why Team member,
I hope this post finds you well and enjoying your day.

In the ancient text, we are encouraged to put our hands to the plow and not look back. 

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Why?

Because an effective farmer always concentrates on what's in front of him and how to most efficiently work the plot of land at hand. Living is like plowing; always in the now and what we do with the now is what determines the quality of our life. What we do with the now is also our only influence on the future. Imagine both your hands to a plow, plowing a field.  How effective would you be, how straight would your lines be, how efficient your effort, if you kept looking behind you?

Alexander Graham Bell once shared an adage that is often repeated, but not in it's entirety.  He said, "When one door closes, another one opens." What few people know is what he said next "but we look so longingly at the door that closes, we fail to see the door that opens." 
How many new doors of opportunity do we miss when we are constantly looking back?
Tolstoy said the only place we have any power is in the Now.  No doubt looking back with shoulda, coulda, woulda weakens our ability to get it done NOW.  The past does give us valuable feedback and insight about the quality of our choices, even regrets to inform and form us, but learn what you can and get back to the plow, to what is now and to what is possible when we make the most of what we have: Today and Now. 

Beware of the doors that close, don't fight them or dwell on the fact that they're closed. Look for the new doors opening around you and be curious about the new opportunities. Regard the past as a mere preparation for living more fully today and thus more fully impacting tomorrow.

Today I will rejoice - is an act of will - it is not: let me check the news, I might rejoice, let me check the weather, I might rejoice.  When we are proactively determined to make today great, it more often is great.
Re-actively hoping a day will be great makes one dependent upon circumstances - and this powerless approach can breed a sense of hopelessness.  Say to yourself: “Today, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Such is the daily intention that makes for great days, weeks, months and years.

Each new day is an absolute gift. 
To be all that we are called to be for others, today and in the future, put your hands to the plow.  Do not let the past discourage you, but rather leverage the insight living has brought you, to be all the more diligent with what a new day brings. 

To reap possibilities, we must sow them first. Appreciating this truth is always a great start.  Each new day provides new opportunities to serve and be served by doing so. Put your hands to the plow and trust on the future, don't look back, make the most of today, and tomorrow will take care of itself


Make it a great week,

Steve Luckenbach