So much for the new car look. I recently learned my lesson about relying too much on my rearview mirror when I was backing up and failed to notice that there was a cement post behind me (but just out of the view of my mirror). The post left me a permanent reminder of the limitations of using my rearview mirror as a driving aid . . . And I was worried about the kids driving the car.

How often do you use your rearview mirror? I don't know about you but I don't use it a lot. Like most, I use it when backing out of my driveway or when I am in a parking lot to give me a quick view as to whether or not there is somebody behind me.

I recently listened to a speaker who said that one of the key things he had learned recently was to "smash" his rearview mirror. Say what? I think his point is that most of us spend way too much time trying to drive forward by looking through the rear view mirror.

I know they say you can learn lessons from looking back at history, but I think if we are honest, we would find that most of our rear-viewing is stuck in the endless loop of the negative.

Listen to most "looking back" conversations. Do they tend toward celebrating what we feel good about, or towards things we are still frustrated, bitter or angry over? Do we spend our valuable energy rehearsing how people have hurt us or failed to live up to what we expected or hoped of them or do we engage in a forward way with the things we actually have control over?

Most of us could learn a lot from the fourth step of the AA program that helps alcoholics set aside their resentments as a key step towards walking in freedom in the present. I think we are all a bit addicted to the past.

I think this is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he gave his readers the following advice "one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. "

So as a reminder this year to be forward-thinking in my focus, I went out to the auto wrecker, bought a rearview mirror, and smashed it. I mounted it on my desk as a reminder of this lesson.

As the saying goes, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. May you have a great new year unwrapping the "present" of 2012.

Vern Tompke is the Team Coach of the Vineyard Community Church and welcomes your comments at vtompke@shaw.ca.