“Live your life without regret.”
That thought popped into my head while driving to work this past week.
Impossible, the other side of my brain chimed in.
We need to learn to live with regret. We are human.
Later that day I opened the conversation with Warren and Big Guy, both of whom related to the opening quote simply as “Don’t regret not doing something.”
In other words, if you want to do something, don’t not do it.
Don’t let something–anything–stand between you and your dreams or desires.
If you dream of being a college graduate, then do it.
Apply. Attend. Achieve.
Want to quit smoking?
Stop smoking.
Want to lose weight?
Think: Quantity. Quality.
Want to be healthier/fitter?
Move more.
Sounds simple, right?
It is.
It is also equally complicated.
If we let it be.
There are often numerous realistic and perceived obstacles we must navigate around.
They all boil down to one thing: Obligation.
Obligation to: Finances. Family. Friends.
And yet, each of those is manageable and mold-able.
We’ll come back to the How shortly, but for now, let’s look at the second, more subtle side of regret.
Those times when we go to bed angry; are so caught up in something we’re working on we forget to say I love you as our children or spouses go out the door; we make a promise that we can’t keep…don’t pick up the phone to let someone know we’ve been thinking about her…miss warning signs that someone we care about is having a difficult time…
Live your life without regret.
It is impossible to live our entire life without regret.
We are human.
We make mistakes.
We fail.
We struggle.
So, then, if we regret is a natural part of our existence, how do we move forward with confidence and clarity?
The Five Steps of Healing is based around one simple premise: Choice.
At any given time we can choose to alter the course of our behavior.
We can recognize that when we say Yes to one thing we are saying No to something else.
At any given time we can choose to alter the course of our thinking.
Healing doesn’t deny the existence of what has or has not happened, it is simply an acceptance that we can be okay in its presence or absence.
That, Journeyer, is the key to living our best personal, professional, and philanthropic life, even in the face of adversity.
Learning to live with regret is equally key to living a fulfilled life…
What about you, Journeyer, tell us how you live with regret!
Until next time, yours in hope, healing, and happiness…
2 Comments on “Healing and the Two Sides of Regret”
It’s all about perspective Annah. Sure, I could be upset at myself for getting into a shitty marriage – but hey – I got out with two amazing kids. And if I hadn’t been married, I might never have met Hubs, and i wouldn’t have number three. So I live without regret. Everything is as it should be. And – as you point out – I have the ability to shape my own future! Wonderful blog!
It’s such an easy concept, shaping our own futures, and yet it can be so darned daunting at time, can’t it? I often think about the fact that if any minor detail had changed in my life’s decisions, I wouldn’t have my four wonderful children…and I probably wouldn’t have met such inspiring people like you! What are your children’s ages?