Stop Lookin in Your Rearview

I think you can tell alot about a person by the kind of music they listen to. Happy music, sad music, love songs, songs about Jesus, there's so many kinds of songs, and so many meanings, sentiments, and motives behind the lyrics.

If you know me at all, then you already know I'm I have a slight obsession with Thomas Rhett and his song "Die a Happy Man." More so the music video than anything.. It's of him and his wife in Hawaii and it's probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. (Yeah, I included in in case you haven't seen it, just because it's that adorable). It's gotten to the point where my nieces now know all the lyrics to the song and I'll come home and they'll turn the music video on the tv.. yeah, they know me so well.  At least I'm introducing them to songs that are decent and talk about love as it should be talked about and not all that other stuff on the radio, right?

There's another song of his (well mostly all of them) that I also really enjoy. It talks about looking back in the rearview, and how things in the future are going to be better than they were in the past. I don't know if it's some sort of sign or something, but it also fits right in with the conversation I heard on the radio on my way to work. They were talking about how the rearview in our car is so small, but the windshield is so big. 

Sometimes we focus so much on the past that we don't realize what's right in front of us. We can't let go of something in the past, and we don't see clearly in the now because of that.

I'm guilty of it 100%. I think of the past, how things used to be, how I wish they could have been, how it should have been, how it would have been.. It's crazy how we come to these forks in life and have to make decisions, and there's always times when you think back and wonder what if you'd went the other way.. Took the other job, didn't say goodbye, didn't say hello, didn't tell someone your feelings or told them, didn't travel, didn't lose touch.. There's countless moments in my life that I could've went one way or another, and while I do think about it sometimes, I wouldn't change a single thing about where life has taken me. There's been lots of laughter, a good share of tears, fears, uncertainty, and anxiety, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Every good and bad moment in my life has led me to where I am right now. And right now, life's still sorting its self out and there's still lots to figure out, lots of decisions to make, lots of life to live, but I look at it with pure excitement and hope. The friendships, the heartbreak, the love, the adventures, the jobs, every bit of what has happened to you and me is necessary to make us into the person we're meant to be.

So the rearview mirror. It's small, its helpful sometimes, but. The windshield. It's much bigger, it's easier to see out of. Let the rearview help you to see what is necessary, to learn from your experiences and mistakes, and help you move on. 

Look ahead and don't lose sight of what's in front of you- the opportunities, the person who'd do anything for you, the adventures. Sometimes we feel like we can't let go of the past because we're afraid that we won't find something as good as we had. Let me be the one to promise you that you will. Things are in the past for a reason. Don't go dragging them out and trying to keep it in your life if it isn't reciprocating it. Yes, I know, it's much easier said than done. But, you deserve better. You deserve the world. You deserve a life that you love, that makes you happy, that gets you excited for every single day. You deserve a relationship where you're loved and respected- not one in which you're just a go-to option on the side. One in which you both know that you want to be together, and not just only one of you is trying. You should take the job that makes you happy, that you don't dread going to everyday. Sure you could make more money doing another job, but would you love your life or hate what you do? You should smile when you talk about it because it gets you that excited. 

So stop. Stop staring at your rear view mirror. Let go of things you can't control, stop trying so hard for other people when you know it's not good for you, do what makes you happy, be with who makes you smile, and love. Love fearlessly, without regret, with all you've got. The world needs so much more love than it already has. Love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't. Love those who say they don't need it, because they're usually the ones that need it the most. I'd rather regret saying I love you too much than not enough. But honestly, that's not something I'll ever regret because Lord knows I can't ever tell the people I care about that I love them enough. 

Next time you're stuck- in a rut, with a flat tire, fixed on that rearview mirrow. Remember, it's that size for a reason. Don't get stuck there too long, because you might overlook some of the best things life has to offer that are right in front of you.

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[[Stop starin' at the rear view
You ain't checkin' your hair
That wheel has spun and them lights are out
There ain't nothin' for you back there
Stop holdin' on so dang tight, 'bout time you let go
Well he's a heart breakin', let you down son of a gun
But I ain't sayin' nothin' you don't know]]