When I’m driving, I often catch myself making the same mistake—I keep checking my mirror to see if someone is behind me. If there is, I immediately feel anxious. Thoughts begin to race through my mind: What if that driver thinks I’m a bad driver? What if they start tailgating me? Before I know it, I’m stressed and distracted.

I shared this with my husband one day, and he gave me some simple but powerful advice. He said, “You shouldn’t constantly check your mirror to see who’s behind you. Focus on what’s in front. What’s behind you doesn’t matter unless you’re changing lanes.”

His words stuck with me—not just for driving, but for life.

How often do we live like that? Constantly looking back. Replaying old mistakes. Worrying about what others think. Reliving past pain. We become so consumed with what’s behind us that we forget to focus on what’s ahead.

If I keep looking in the rearview mirror while driving, there’s a good chance I’ll miss what’s in front of me—or worse, get into an accident. Life works the same way. When we’re too focused on the past, we risk missing the opportunities, growth, and peace waiting in the present and future.

The past has its purpose: to teach us. But once it’s done that, we don’t need to carry it with us every mile. What’s important is the road ahead—where we’re going, not where we’ve been.

So today, I remind myself: stop looking back. Trust the lessons, keep your hands steady on the wheel, and drive forward with intention.

Because that’s the only way to truly arrive at where you’re meant to be.

Me in New Orleans, 2017 🙂