Author Marianne Williamson shares a conversation she had with a young man named Andrew.  In his first year of high school, Andrew had acted like a self-described "jerk" and a "total loser."  He treated people badly.  Then, he moved to a different high school for a couple of years. Now, he dreaded returning to his old high school for his final year. He knew how people remembered him.  They would treat him like the old Andrew.  But he wasn't that guy anymore; he had matured and had a new perspective on his life.  He didn't want to be dragged down by old memories and old patterns in his life.

Williamson advised Andrew to ignore what others thought of him.  Soon enough, Andrew's old classmates would start to see the contrasts between the old Andrew and the new Andrew.  They couldn't hold the past against him for very long.  She prayed with Andrew that God would give him a brand new start, with brand new relationships.  As Williamson writes, "Spiritually, we are reborn in any moment we do not take the past with us."

Andrew later reported back on his school situation.  It was nothing short of a miracle.  He had made new friends among the people he had once alienated.  No one treated him like the old Andrew.

Sometimes the biggest barrier to starting a new life is fear of how those closest to us will react. If we do change, our relationships will inevitably be affected. Other people are involved. We have responsibilities. If we change, how will our spouse react? How about our friends? It's easier to stay in our comfort zone if we feel that others will regard us negatively if we seek to change.