“The way things used to be…” is a phrase I often hear coming from people in business, church and even some personal relationships. This phrase has always bothered me, even though I have caught myself saying it from time to time. I mean, I understand the sentiment, but passionately believe it should be eradicated from our vocabulary. Here’s why.

1. Nothing will ever be the way it used to be.
Obvious statement, I know. But, it amazes me how many of us spend energy trying to recreate the past and no energy CREATING the future. Many of us suffer from “reversion syndrome.” In the face of change, we revert back to what we know instead of being challenge by what we don’t.

2. Living in the past means you haven’t learned from it.
Shakespeare wrote, “The Past is Prologue.” What that means to me is that the past can be our greatest teacher, but only if we apply it to the moment and move forward.

3. When you have a “the way things used to be” attitude, it blinds you from the new memories that are being created around you.
Life should not be lived in a rear-view mirror, you’ll miss all the people waving and cheering you on through the front windshield. Good or bad, life should be lived in the cherished moment.

4. It’s a selfish attitude.
Many of us have never grown up or grown out of our selfish ways. When you wish for “the way things used to be” you’re making it about you. When you wish for “the way things can be” you’re making it about others.

5. Change is good.
The only constant in life is change. Great people, businesses and churches are the ones that handle change well.  When we drop “the way things used to be” attitude, we can finally get unstuck. We can lose the “deer in the headlights” look when the winds of change blow and embrace the change as necessary.

Please add your comments or resources. How does your church or organization handle change?  What have you found to be effective?