My guest blogger today is Canadian author Doug Simpson who gives his thoughts based on a random photograph (below). The challenge for Doug was to write a few words based on what the image conjured up for him:
Confusing title if you have ever seen one, right? Maybe, then maybe not!
The goal of today’s article is to hopefully make you think, seriously think, of where you are headed. Possibly the best way to analyze where you are headed is to analyze where you have been, because where you have been will clearly show you where you are headed unless you take the initiative to choose a different fork in the road ahead.
Are you ready? Grab a clean piece of paper, not a wrinkled up scrap piece, but a clean one because clean kind of implies a new slate, not the same old, same old. Now, think back to the beginning, your beginning, and please write down the most memorable event from each year of your life. If it was memorable, you will remember it. If it was forgettable, you have already forgotten it. Note that I said memorable, not happiest. Often our greatest regrets or disasters are our most significant educational experiences.
Finished? Good. Now go back and carefully read the words you placed on your clean piece of paper, and while doing so, if you change your mind on your most memorable event for a year, then go ahead and scratch out the wrong one and replace it with the correct one. This is your life you are looking at. You never had any intention of publishing it, therefore pretty does not count for anything.
Done? Good. Now you have the highlighted story of your life. Go back and read it slowly a couple of more times, and as you read it experience the emotions that the words you wrote inspire in your mind or conscience. If you are happy with what you see in front of you, then your life is probably on the correct path. Congratulations! If you are not so pleased with what you see, what are you going to do about it? Remember, looking back is seeing forward. Do you need to opt for a turn in the road ahead?
If you believe in the survival of the soul and reincarnation, as I do, you can actually carry this exercise back thousands of years and dozens of lifetimes, if you learn how to do this. If you check out your past lifetimes you will discover where your soul is headed and learn whether you need to choose a different path in this lifetime to direct your soul where you would hope it is headed. Think about that one for a while!
If this article helps just one person to make a positive turn in his or her life’s journey, then it has been worth the time it took to write. May your tomorrows be better than your today!
© Doug Simpson 2012
Doug Simpson is a retired high school teacher who has turned his talents to writing. His first novel, a spiritual mystery titled Soul Awakening, was published in the United States in October of 2011, by Book Locker. 
Check it out at http://booklocker.com/books/5754.html. It is available in print and eBook format through most book stores around the world. His magazine and website articles have been published in 2010 to 2012 in Australia, Canada, France, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. His articles can be accessed through his website at http://dousimp.mnsi.net.
Thank you, Kim Emerson!
Doug,
A wonderful exercise for healing and reflection. Thank you!
Kim (KD Emerson)
Knowing where you came from is always a good way to know where you want to go. Sound advice. Fabulous reflection exercise as well. It’s not something I think about daily, so thank you for creating a piece that reminds me I need to Doug.
Thank you, Catrina Taylor. Glad the article caught your attention.