When You Feel Stuck, Remember the Past

Summary

The author reflects on personal growth by recalling a past of financial struggle and current acts of generosity, emphasizing the importance of remembering past achievements for motivation.

Abstract

The author opens Medium to find a friend's story that triggers nostalgia and affirms their life progress. The narrative recounts the author's childhood experience of participating in a singing contest for a small cash prize to afford weekly school allowance. This contrasts sharply with the present, where the author now freely gives away the same amount that once seemed significant. The author concludes that when feeling stagnant, reflecting on past successes can reignite motivation and provide the energy to continue progressing, albeit slowly, rather than remaining static.

Opinions

The author values the act of sharing and giving back as a measure of personal progress.
Nostalgia plays a role in appreciating one's journey and current status.
Reflecting on humble beginnings and past struggles can be a powerful motivator in times of feeling stuck.
The author believes in the significance of recognizing and celebrating small victories along the path of personal development.

Where you are now was once a distant dream

I opened Medium today to write my thoughts but I noticed a friend tagged me in her story A Promise Unkept. Aside from bringing back memories, the story reminded me that I’m on the right track and way better than before.

In her story, she mentioned a popular Filipino song which is one of my favorites. It reminded me of my elementary days when I frequent a radio station on Sundays to join an amateur singing contest for a coveted price of Php50.00 (around $1.00) so I’ll have a school allowance for the week. It’s how hard life was.

Now, I have lots of Php50.00 bills meant to be generously shared with parking attendants or delivery people. I am now at the giving and not the receiving end. I have moved in life, I have moved a lot!

I just have to keep in mind: When I feel stuck, I have to look back and take inspiration from the past. Gather past wins to gain motivation and propel anew. I’m still moving, maybe slowly but I didn’t stagnate.