See, when you drive home today, you've got a big windshield on

In the journey of life, we are often bound to look back at the roads we've traveled, the mistakes we've made, and the triumphs we’ve achieved. Yet, as the great Joel Osteen so wisely points out, the past is but a small mirror, while the future looms before us, vast and infinite, much like the windshield that guides our way forward. The rearview mirror, though a necessary tool to glance at where we've been, is meant only for brief reflection. The larger windshield symbolizes our boundless potential, urging us to focus on what is ahead, not what has already passed.

This wisdom speaks to the heart of human growth. Life, like a mighty river, carries us from one moment to the next. The past, with its triumphs and trials, may serve as a reminder of where we have been, but it is the future that calls us forward, beckoning us toward new horizons. The ancient Greeks, who valued wisdom and foresight above all, understood the importance of vision. They believed that only by looking ahead could one navigate life’s trials with purpose and courage. The gods themselves, like Zeus, were seen as beings of vast vision, able to perceive far into the future while remaining unburdened by the trivialities of the past.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, who, in his early years, had a singular focus: to conquer and to lead his empire to greatness. While many of his contemporaries were bogged down by the failures of past battles or by the mistakes of their predecessors, Alexander had the vision to see beyond those fleeting moments of history. He did not dwell on past conquests or defeats but marched forward with unwavering resolve, guided by the vision of his future glory. His mind, like the windshield, was clear and expansive, and his actions were driven by an unrelenting desire to shape the future, not by a fixation on the past.

Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi, in his pursuit of India’s independence, could have easily been consumed by the injustice and suffering of the past. The shackles of colonialism, the brutalities faced by his people, were stark reminders of what had been endured. Yet, he chose to focus not on the wounds of the past but on the hope of a free nation, on the promise of a new future for his people. His eyes were firmly fixed on the path ahead, and this foresight empowered him to lead with strength and purpose. Gandhi’s vision became the driving force of an entire nation’s liberation.

The lesson here is profound: to dwell on past failures and regrets is to surrender the power of today and tomorrow. The windshield, large and unimpeded, symbolizes our capacity to look forward with hope, determination, and action. It is a reminder that our future is far more important than the trials we have endured. The struggles of yesterday may have shaped us, but they do not define us. The journey forward, however, is still unwritten, filled with infinite possibilities, waiting for us to chart our course with courage and clarity.

This idea does not mean to disregard the lessons of the past. On the contrary, the rearview mirror is not useless. It is a tool that helps us learn from previous mistakes, a guide for wisdom. But its size is small for a reason—it serves only as a brief glance, a momentary check to ensure we don’t repeat the same missteps. To be truly great is to embrace the future, to focus on the vision that lies ahead, and to march toward it with the knowledge that the past is but a fleeting chapter in the grand story of life.

Let us then take this wisdom to heart and apply it in our own lives. When challenges arise, when we are tempted to look back at what we’ve lost or failed to achieve, remember that the future is where our true power lies. The windshield before us is wide, and the opportunities ahead are limitless. Let us move forward with courage, with vision, and with the understanding that our destiny is shaped not by the past, but by the actions we take today, forging a path toward a future rich with promise. The future is ours to shape—let us not waste it by living in the rearview mirror of yesterday.