I Used to Be

There is a Jewish proverb that states, "A man is what he is, not what he used to be." This can actually be a positive or negative thought depending on our perspective. It can provide encouragement when you aren't necessarily proud of your past. It can be a sign of growth and positive transformation when we have worked to correct character deficiencies and glaring weaknesses. It's also a reminder that we can't boast about the positive things we have done in the past and not continue to work in the present. Our spiritual growth, healthy relationships, financial strength, and physical health cannot be maintained because of something we once did. We have to be willing to build on the past, learn from our mistakes, and continually push forward to grow.