My faith in the future is mostly based on what I’ve seen happen in the past. When I make plans about this year and next, my memories have a lot to contribute to the conversation. I’m sure you’re the same. We all base our beliefs and what we know without question on our experiences. I’ve even heard very wise people say that the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. And it’s true… mostly.

The tricky thing about the past is its brazen ability to assume it can (1) troubleshoot the present and (2) predict the future. While the past is helpful, it is not the end-all-be-all of who you are and who you’re going to be.

For example, as human beings, it’s hard to not look behind us at all our failures and subsequently paint a doomed picture of days ahead. Your failed marriage, bankrupt business or busted dream doesn’t exactly inspire you to pick up the pieces and try again. However, you gotta know that disappointment plus disappointment does not equal a life of disappointments. Your life is not a science; it is, by its very nature, unpredictable.

How do I know this? Because your life contains one of God’s most irrational, illogical, and unfathomable mysteries…

Your creative capabilities, your immeasurable endurance through tough times, your hidden potential, your capacity to love, how smart you really are… you are your most untapped resource. You have no idea what you’re capable of.

Because of this, you can change. You can rewrite your story. The past doesn’t have to be your future. It can be, frankly, whatever you want it to be.

So learn from your mistakes and move forward. Try hope, for a change. There’s an open road full of wonder waiting for you.