Reverse to … Advance?
The Art of Reverse~Why backing up is moving forward
‼️“Beep… beep… beep…” ‼️
We all know that sound. It’s the warning of a vehicle in reverse, alerting everyone that things are moving in a different direction. We usually associate it with heavy trucks or construction sites.
See Arty exploring a safe construction site
Now there’s a thought . . .
The trick to moving forward is… going backward? It sounds counterintuitive. Sometimes the best way to gain ground is to take a few steps back to examine where you’ve been. Think of it as repaving: you have to dig up the old road and clear the debris to make room for the new.
We had fun figuring this trick out. He’s still a “work in progress” himself!
There is a practical side to this. For Arty, learning to back up isn’t just a cute little trick, it is a necessity for safety. When broken glass litters the floor or a grocery store pallet jack comes around a blind corner, Arty needs to stop and reverse. In those moments, backing up isn't a retreat; it’s a smart maneuver to avoid a collision. When you hear that metaphorical BEEP BEEP BEEP in your head, it’s not a sign of defeat, it’s a sign of awareness. You are resetting so you can move ahead.
The rubble of the past needs to be cleared away to make progress, like forgiving the one who wronged you or taking ownership of a poor decision. Acknowledge your growth and allow yourself to celebrate! There is an art to this kind of repaving. You aren't just staring at the old road; you're breaking it up and using that space for something that fits who you are right now. Sometimes a “new normal” cannot take hold because we haven’t broken up the old road.
Progress is rarely a straight line. What does it take to break up the old road? Acknowledge the friction, take the lesson—"I will offer to others the grace to evolve without the weight of perfection"—and integrate it. Use your history to build a foundation rather than letting past mistakes become a wall.
Whether you are sprinting ahead or marching in place, as long as your feet are moving, you are refusing to be defined by your rearview mirror. You are living in the “not yet” stage. The story isn’t over. You are keeping your heart rate up and your spirit engaged. You are “staying warm” in the waiting so when the path clears, you are ready and won’t be starting from a standstill.
The Hawaiian language has a beautiful word to capture this thought: Imua (pronounced ee-MOO-ah). Imua is to move forward toward a goal. To be resolute in what you take on. Here’s the best part - moving forward (Imua) isn't about throwing away the past or pretending it didn't happen. It’s about integration. It’s taking the lessons, the mistakes, the “back ups” and the history, carrying them into your next step with passion and purpose.
If things feel loud or messy right now, don't worry—it's just the 'work in progress' phase. The best parts are coming up.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." — Søren Kierkegaard
