We’ve all been there. You’re halfway down the street, embarking on your morning walk, when you realize you forgot your sunglasses. Usually, this is the moment where the inner critic takes over: “How did I forget those? I’m so disorganized. Now I have to turn back.”

But what if that "mistake" was actually a setup for a win?

In a recent morning reflection, I recalled a story that flips the script on how we view our past actions. I had left the house to walk our dogs and realized I had forgotten my sunglasses and the Texas Sun was blinding. As I turned to head back to the house, I noticed that I’d left the car unlocked overnight—a rare lapse in my usual routine. But because "Past Michael" forgot to lock the door, "Present Michael" was able to grab the sunglasses sitting on the dash without having to hike back to the house.

In that moment, a mistake became a miracle. Past Michael was a hero.

Shifting the Narrative

Most of us treat our past selves like a scapegoat. We focus on the missed workouts, the late nights, or the "failures." But at Third Eye Space, we believe mindfulness is about seeing the whole picture.

Whether you are Past Dave, Past Sarah, Past Rick, or Past Pick-a-Name-it, your past self has set you up for more successes than anyone else in the world.

Think about it:

• The Prep Work: When you did your "homework" or prep last night, you teed up today’s home run.

• The Lessons: Even the "mistakes" often turn out to be exactly what was needed to spark a new bit of ingenuity or a pivot in the right direction.

• The Arrival: You are here, breathing and moving, because your past self navigated every single challenge that came your way.

Seeing the Successes, Not Just the Scars

If you don’t think your past self is a hero, it’s likely because you’re only following the story of your failures. You’re looking at the "pickles" you got into, but ignoring the times your past self studied for the test, showed up for the job, or chose to walk through a door that changed everything.

It’s all cause and effect. When we stop beating ourselves up for what we didn’t do, we can start thanking ourselves for what we did do.

A Practice in Gratitude

Next time you complete a task or overcome a challenge, take a moment to thank the "Past You" who made the choice to show up.

• Thank the "Past You" who booked the class.

• Thank the "Past You" who did the work.

• Thank the "Past You" who decided that your well-being was a priority.

You are your own strongest ally. Let’s start acting like it.

Reflect with us: What is one thing your "Past Self" did this week—even something small or accidental—that you’re grateful for today?