Have you ever wondered why a car’s front windscreen is so much larger than its rearview mirror? I did! and his analogy has always intrigued me, and I find it profoundly applicable to me and my personal growth and spiritual development. It speaks to the way we navigate life, balancing the perspectives of our past, present, and future.
At one point in my life, I was so fixated on the rearview mirror—constantly replaying past experiences and emotions—that I lost sight of the expansive windscreen before me. The road ahead, full of opportunities and possibilities, became obscured. In those moments, I had to ask myself, Is it healthy to keep looking behind me? The answer I feel lies not just in whether we look back but in the energy we bring when we do. What is that energy?
The Energy of Reflection
“The past is not the enemy. It is a library.
But we must enter it as students, not prisoners.”
When we glance in the rearview mirror, are we doing so with gratitude and curiosity, or are we consumed by regret, shame, or grief? The past can be a teacher or a tormentor, depending on how we choose to engage with it.
Looking back with a reflective, grateful heart allows us to draw wisdom and strength from our experiences. It’s in these moments of spiritual clarity that the past becomes a tool for growth, not a burden. On the other hand, when we dwell in the emotions of shame or sadness, we tether ourselves to a lower vibration that prevents us from embracing the freedom of the present moment.
Here’s the beauty of it: we have the power of choice. This divine gift, bestowed upon us at birth, is the cornerstone of our spiritual freedom.
As humans, we are born with the incredible ability to choose—to shape our lives, experiences, and even our perspectives. Choice is an expression of free will, and with it comes the responsibility to decide how we respond to life’s challenges and opportunities.
When I look at the vast front windscreen of life, I’m reminded that I have the choice to focus on what lies ahead. Every moment offers us the chance to step forward, to create something new, to explore the unknown with courage and faith. The windscreen represents not just the future, but the limitless potential we hold when we open ourselves to the present moment.
But this freedom isn’t without sacrifice. To move forward, we must sometimes release what no longer serves us—be it a limiting belief, a toxic relationship, or a habit of clinging to the past. Letting go can feel like loss, but in truth, it’s an act of love for ourselves and our journey.
The windscreen also invites us to fully experience the now. So often, we live either in the regrets of yesterday or the anxieties of tomorrow, forgetting that life unfolds in the present. When we ground ourselves in the here and now, we tap into the divine flow of life. In this state, every choice we make is guided by intuition, love, and a sense of alignment with our higher self.
Living in the now doesn’t mean we ignore the rearview mirror altogether. It means we use it sparingly and wisely—to learn, to remember, and to honor how far we’ve come. The rearview mirror is a tool, not a destination.
Life is a journey, and like any drive, it requires us to navigate with care and awareness. The size of the windscreen compared to the rearview mirror reminds us of the proportions we should aim for in our focus: a broad vision of the future, a mindful presence in the now, and a light touch on the past.
When we approach life this way, we align with the spiritual truth that we are co-creators of our reality. Our choices—whether to hold on, to let go, to focus forward, or to stay present—shape the road we travel. And through it all, the journey becomes not just about reaching a destination but about finding joy and meaning in every mile.
As you reflect on your own journey, ask yourself: how much time do I spend in the rearview mirror? What energy am I bringing when I look back? And am I fully embracing the freedom of the windscreen before me?
The answers to these questions lie in the spiritual practice of choice—choosing to see the beauty in the now, to release what no longer serves, and to trust the road ahead. Life’s windscreen is wide for a reason: it invites us to dream, to grow, and to move forward with an open heart.
So, take a deep breath, set your gaze forward, and embrace the vastness of your journey. After all, the road ahead is yours to create.
“The past is not the enemy. It is a library.
But we must enter it as students, not prisoners.”