Photo by: Kelsa Katzfey ’21
This year’s university theme is resiliency and being resilient is all about being able to bounce back from situations and adapt when things get tough. This week’s video by psychologist Mick Lynch, Look Out Your Windshield, is all about focusing on what’s in front of you instead of what’s behind you.
Mick Lynch explains that the windshield in our car is so much larger than our rearview mirrors and that’s because if you are always looking back, you aren’t focusing on what’s ahead. He talks about how a road you’re traveling in your car can also be compared to the road of your life. If we are always so focused on what happened in our past or what could happen in our future, we miss out on what’s happening right now.
It’s so important to stay focused on where you are going and the present moment because time is so precious to all of us. In college, I have learned that when I look back on things like a paper that I didn’t do so great on or a test I wasn’t prepared for, I lose sight of the opportunities and great things happening around me at the time.
Sometimes it’s easy to bring up memories from the past whether they are good or bad, big or small and worry or hope for the future because it can be difficult to just be present right in the moment. Rather than focusing on what’s behind us, we should keep focused on the path in front of us.
Sometimes we go through hard situations in life whether it be a breakup, bad grade, friendship drama or more serious things such as illness or death of a loved one. To become a resilient warrior, we must focus on what’s going on right now rather than looking back which means that we must try not to lose sight of all the things we have in life rather than what we don’t have.
Next time you find yourself thinking about the past or too far into your future, stop and tell yourself that you are here right now and that’s where your attention really needs to be. Practicing this will help you become a more resilient warrior who watches for opportunities coming right at them through their windshield.
Watch out for next weeks blog about taking out your trash and deciding who the toxic people in your life might be and how to deal with it.
There are free and confidential resources for all students and faculty at WSU. Call WSU Health and Wellness Services at 507.457.5160 or visit them at IWC 222 to make an appointment.
