Envisioning The Future Without the Filter of the Past

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“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

After almost two years of working for the company that I sold my company to, I’m back in the business of working for myself. I’ve spent two-thirds of my career as a self-employed computer consultant. The inclination to build my business exactly as I did before is so strong – kinda like muscle memory. But that doesn’t honor that all the ways I’ve learned and changed since I did this previously.

So I love the inspiration I find to build outside of the box. Here’s one from Mark Nepo:

“It was a curious thing. Robert had filled the bathtub and put the fish in the tub, so he could clean their tank. After he’d scrubbed the film from the small walls of their make-believe deep, he went to retrieve them.

He was astonished to find that, though they had the entire tub to swim in, they were huddled in a small area the size of their tank. There was nothing containing them, nothing holding them back. Why wouldn’t they dart about freely? What had life in the tank done to their natural ability to swim?”

–The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

In addition, my meditation teacher, Deirdre recently gave me some powerful imagery. She said we need to envision the future without the filter of our past.

I’ve spent enough years hiking and climbing to know the wisdom of why we continue on the same path we’ve always used. It helps keep us from getting lost and if we have to backtrack, we know the way.

But for almost every trail system I’ve been on, there are certain intersections where you can easily traverse to another path. Because some paths don’t go to the place we are trying to reach.

I’m trying to keep that in mind as I navigate my next steps. I feel so lucky that I am at an intersection point that has made doing something different not only possible but also preferable. It’s like the Universe has left some bread crumbs to a different route. I just need to follow them. It’s easier to type than it is to do.

For anyone navigating a similar intersection, consider this as an encouragement to envision the future without the filter of the past. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.“

(featured photo is my daughter, Miss O, when she was almost two years old confidently finding her path)

79 thoughts on “Envisioning The Future Without the Filter of the Past”

  1. …”some paths don’t go to the places we’re trying to reach”…
    What an eloquent, elegant way of stating the truth about life and decision-making. Beautiful, Wynne. ❤️

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  2. Lovely and true Wynne. I was conversing with another blogger regarding changes that come at common points in a mom’s life specifically and what pushes us or not to follow a new path. That made me remember a former post of yours and our small discussion of doors. Even if we don’t know for sure what’s waiting on the other side, even if their is anxiety or questions, think of what you might miss by not stepping over the threshold… Possibilities indeed 🙂

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  3. An absolute truth, Wynne. Recently, I reevaluated my freshly adopted path, and discovered my prior path led to where I wanted to go. Astonishing how many times a whim, trend, or shiny object entices us to venture off the trail marked with our passions and experience. We’re somehow convinced to follow one that leads to nowhere. Thanks for today’s encouragement, and I’m happy once again to walk along my prior path, the one designed just for me.

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  4. It’s often the fear of failure that stops us I’m sure to step outside our comfort zone – or the path well trod.

    But from a recruiters perspective it’s all about transferable skills. Not necessarily in a different field either.

    Good luck going forward!

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  6. Whatever the guideposts or their absence, possibilities are like the chocolate Easter eggs children search for on the holiday. Clever kids also decide to change the rules of a game when they suffer defeat. You will build a new company and perhaps another after that. I am rooting for you, Wynne. I am sure all your readers are, as well.

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    1. Thank you, Aline! Good luck with your journey! BTW, I just discovered this landed in my Spam as did some of your other comments. I’m so sorry for the slow reply!

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  13. Amen Wynne! The filter of the past can restrict envisioning future possibilities. The past is a place to learn from, not a place to reside in and avoid exploring future blessings.

    “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalms 118:24

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  14. I have no doubt you’ll be successful on your next steps, your spirit shines with success. And what a perfect post for the season of work life I’m in! (Your posts have an uncanny ability to touch on the very things I’m pondering.) Looking to the past is exactly what I’ve been doing, trying to figure out how everything I’ve done is connected, or how it will lead to the next thing. Maybe I just need to look at the ‘now’ and see what happens. I’ve read about something similar to what the fish endured, kind of a ‘learned helplessness’ – loosely meaning that we’ve tried so long and hard to break through or out, and after relentless roadblocks eventually we just give up and swim in our own little circle… I don’t want to miss out on the good work the future has in store for me.

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  16. Your words are so moving and kudos to you, Wynne. ” It’s easier to type than it is to do.” Absolutely honest and true. You’ve got this my friend. Filters are interesting, helpful and not helpful as we drop the old lens. Mark Nepo’s story reminds me of holidays with too many chefs or pees in the kitchen!
    🥹💓

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    1. Oh, I love this comment, Cindy. “Filters are interesting, helpful and not helpful as we drop the old lens.” Yes, yes, yes! You are such a great encourager!! Thank you!

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  19. Well, first, congratulations Wynne! I love “The inclination to build my business exactly as I did before is so strong.” You are going to rock this new transition. I think the bath tub story is about conditioning; patterns. As we enter our futures, I agree that it is good to shed any unhealthy “conditioning” we grew used to and leaned on in the past. It’s a lucky thing to see the future and know that we can grow in better ways. I liked this post, Wynne! 🙂

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  22. I wish you the best, Wynne as you embark on a different route. You are an accomplished, all-rounder and I know you will succeed in finding “more possibilities.”
    Looking forward to your warm, inspiring, and thought-provoking posts.
    Lots of love.

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  23. Embark on your path with boldness Wynne, just as Miss O did! I love the parable about the fish! You have a winning spirit my friend, so you just keep your focus on the prize. 🏆 Giving up on your dream is not an option. No regrets! Much love as always my dear! 🥰💖😍 Cheers to YOUR success!

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  24. Such a beautiful post and powerful wise imagery and advice.

    Big moments and changes in life provide an opportunity to try a different approach and explore a different path.

    You are someone who has traversed up mountains and I am confident you will find and break new ground and path in your next chapter. 😊

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  25. You don’t seem to be the type of person who always plays it safe, Wynne. I follow two or three bloggers who essentially are world travelers and blog about their stops in foreign countries, often living on the cheap. It’s such a fascinating lifestyle. I admire anyone who thinks outside the box in creative ways.

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  26. A wonderful idea to consciously consider how your past might influence your future choices, and also to evaluate your paths. It’s hard to know just how many possible paths there are as some you might not even know exist!

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  28. My late father-in-law would always remind me that when one door closes, another opens. I hope that whichever path you traverse it brings great joy and a myriad of opportunities. Take care, Julian

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  29. I like Deirdre’s advice. Coming at life without preconceived personal expectations dragged along from the past makes sense to me. We’re all just walking each other home, as Ram Dass taught us. Why not make the journey lighter?

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  32. “We need to envision the future without the filter of our past.” Wow this sentence is a whole post within itself. May you find new professional direction and joy …

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  34. Beautiful and inspiring post, Wynne. I remember about your layoff, and it seems like a new path is unfolding for your future. I wish you all the best! And off topic, after reading the fish in tub story, I thought of my dog who needs boundaries and structure. When he had too much space like in the backyard in the beginning, he acted out, causing lots of damage with his pearly whites. And like dogs that are crate trained, they feel safe in their confined spaces. Maybe the fish felt the same way. 🙂 They were used to their little fish tank, so when given the entire ‘ocean’ they became afraid or unsure of how to deal with it. Sometimes, thoughts come to mind and we cannot control them! Anyway, good luck to you on your new endeavor! You will rock it! ❤️

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  35. I love this! I’m sure it feels unsettled still, but as you said, being open to newness is important, and who want to be those fish stuck swimming in a small patch when there’s so much more available. Life is best when we allow things to unfold organically, as they want to. I’m excited for your new phase!

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