Retrospect with Reason: A Look at Life's Experiences in the Aftermath

By Annika Hardy-Douglas

An individuals life is comprised of a range of circumstances, situations, experiences, trials and errors, and the overall commitment to change ones self image, self philosophy, self thinking.
I believe everything in life has purpose. This purpose can travel from the unseen to the transparent reality of any given situation. My book Retrospect with Reason is a genuine account of self-reflection and the reality of the circumstances and situations in my life. My words are inspired by experience, the good and the bad. My experiences include family, real friends, associates, brief encounters, and spirituality. The following quotes are based from real life experiences that altered my way of thinking. After a person experiences anything, they should ultimately gain knowledge from that experience. The concept of retrospect relates to the transitions of my thoughts after the experiences. The following quotes reflect a knowledge gained that can easily be related to any person. I am only the vessel that delivers the words that are given and trusted upon me from a higher being. My God!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468559354

Annika Hardy-Douglas

Annika Hardy-Douglas is a passionate educator who has served students in the Illinois area for over 10 years. A Daughter, Mother, Aunt, Friend, Cousin, and Mentor to people. Currently residing in Springfield, Illinois and a passionate lover of experiences and the lessons that may be gained from each one.

Book preview

© 2012 by Annika Hardy-Douglas. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/12/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5909-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5935-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012903980

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

PROLOGUE

Prologue

An individual’s life is comprised of a range of circumstances, situations, experiences, trials and errors, and the overall commitment to change one’s self image, self philosophy, self thinking.

SKU-000557955_TEXT.pdf

I believe everything in life has purpose. This purpose can travel from the unseen to the transparent reality of any given situation. My book Retrospect with Reason is a genuine account of self-reflection and the reality of the circumstances and situations in my life. My words are inspired by experience, the good and the bad. My experiences include family, real friends, associates, brief encounters, and spirituality. The following quotes are based from real life experiences that altered my way of thinking. After a person experiences anything, they should ultimately gain knowledge from that experience. The concept of retrospect relates to the transitions of my thoughts after the experiences. The following quotes reflect a knowledge gained that can easily be related to any person. I am only the vessel that delivers the words that are given and trusted upon me from a higher being. My God!

I’d like to thank my mother Deborah Hardy-Wren, Wadell Hardy, Lester Wren, Grandma Mae Bailiff, Granddad Joe Bailiff, Auntie Charlotte, Renee, Sharon, Bernie, Ollie, all of their husbands, and all of my siblings, cousins and friends. These are the individuals who have crafted my words, encouraged me in the midst of darkness and light. Anyone who has or has had a place in my life past or present has helped dictate my today. Last but not least, my son Mekhi Douglas and my daughter Mackenzie Douglas, (this is the blueprint that I leave my children to help them with their personal life journey) and their father, Lamont Douglas.

SKU-000557955_TEXT.pdf

Have you ever taken time out to ask yourself what led you to your faith? If faith is to believe in the things or events that you can not see, you must first be presented with a situation that will test it. How are you able to keep hope when things aren’t going your way? How do we continue to push through trials and tribulations? What gives us the energy we need to move on through the violent storms that sometimes invade our lives?

In order to fully appreciate what faith is and adore it, at times we will be tested on just how faithful we are. If whatever circumstance or obstacle presented to you is certain to work in your favor because you have faith, and in fact it doesn’t, will your faith be diminished? If it doesn’t, you are truly a faithful soul.

By remaining faithful even after you were left in disappointment, you have proven your faith, and it will be rewarded!

• Trust

• Pray

• Believe

SKU-000557955_TEXT.pdf

In order to move forward you must leave the past behind. Confrontations from your past that led to negative decisions should work to help you creatively mold a brighter future. If you learn to recall events from your past that caused negative effects in your life, you have self taught yourself not to revisit certain paths that were once taken. To unfurl a negative past, means that you are strong enough to see yourself as you once were. On the other hand, a bad book should never be opened again unless revisions are going to be made. To understand how to make things better, it is beneficial to know where you went wrong.

• Try to understand that no one and nothing is perfect

• Try not to make the same mistakes

• Let prior bad experiences led to better experiences

• Be thankful for your journey

• Don’t awaken the dead

SKU-000557955_TEXT.pdf

Just what does it take for you to explode? What must another person do to push all of your buttons? How many of us are easily controlled in such a way?

Some of us give other people rights that should be reserved for only self. When you begin to internalize cruelties of others and react in the same manner you are just as terrible as they are. Some situations can be as small as a rude employee serving customers at a fast food restaurant, or as big as racial discrimination and a plethora of different prejudices. If we chose to act in the same way these problems are presented to us, there would be a never-ending cycle of ignorance. However, if we approach the same problems with a degree of self-respect, class, and intelligence, the enemy is defeated.

There are some people that challenge us just to get a reaction. When these people get what they need to diminish good character, they have won! The most important thing is not to mirror such behaviors. We must not allow other individuals to control us to a point where we step outside of who we really are. The only way to fight this evil is with good. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely spoke these words, Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.