All too often, it seems that we allow what has happened to us in the past to control what might happen to us in the future. We allow our defeats, setbacks, and negative experiences in life affect how we both see who and what we are, and how we live our life. This type of negative thinking only makes us feel depressed, bitter, angry, and resentful.

Instead, what we should be doing is to take what has happened in our past, i.e. our setbacks, disappointments, and negative experiences and see these as opportunities to help us grow and develop and become a more positive and successful person.

I know in my life that even through all of the setbacks, disappointments, trials and difficulties in my own life, I refuse to allow these situations to keep me a "victim". Instead, I see myself as an "overcomer" and will not allow my past experiences and disappointments to control my present or future experiences in life.