Written by Anhayla Stanley

The brilliance of who I once was is important but that version of me gives no direction for tomorrow. It wouldn’t make any sense. 

My past teaches me — It tells a story of resilience and strength. Yes, my past is important but it’s not good at giving directions. 

The past only wants to repeat....because after all that’s all it knows. It finds comfort in familiarity and reliving the same story.

A few years ago...somehow I got lost. I started asking directions from my past...but all my past had directions to were past wins and past itineraries. So, I found myself stuck and frustrated because I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I was making decisions based on a “me” that was no longer here. 

I had to update my navigation system because I’d been following an old map. 

Who I AM guides me...who God desires me to be leads me. My vision gives me direction...it always has.  

It was that gentle voice from Spirit that told me to do things that people said I couldn’t — The paths that seemed illogical and made no sense.

It was Spirit who told me to keep pushing and not give up. It was Spirit who opened doors that I never dreamt possible. Do you see? My past couldn’t do that...only God could.  

It’s important to stay in the present....RIGHT HERE where you’re suppose to be. It might not look like you thought it would. It might be cloudy and raining but your next step is here in this moment.  

“Trust the process” now means “trust the present” to me. Stand in it and learn...stand in it and grow. Be present with it because if you go back to your past to direct your future, you might miss a turn.

Don’t stay stuck in an old version of who you used to be. Give yourself permission to change, evolve and rewrite your story. You don't have to have it all figured it out, all you have to do is listen. It's important to be still because you can’t hear spirit speak if you’re stuck in a chaotic past. 

Everything that happened...happened. 

Right now, this moment is different...it’s new. Make it new.  

RISE.