I don't believe in regrets. After all, there is nothing we can do to change the past. All we can do is learn from the past and use it to change our present and our guide our future.
If I did believe in regrets, I could give you a whole list of them, such as:
I regret not taking more family photos, especially some with ME in them.
I regret not having had professional photos taken (then again, we couldn't have afforded these).
I regret not writing down my children's milestones right when they happened (because I forget the specifics now).
I regret not hugging, kissing, and appreciating my children more when they were teeny tiny babies because they are growing up so quickly (but sometimes I find myself wishing they were older so I could finally get a decent night sleep!)
I regret not starting a blog sooner...
...and the list goes on.
And, if I'm not careful and start to go down this path of regrets, I could easily start regretting my career choice, my decision to travel around the world, my overseas teaching experience...and a whole host of other dangerous and useless regrets. Because all of these decisions (which were actually the RIGHT decisions) came with costs and trade-offs (as all big decisions do).
We all make decisions based on the best information (and limitations of time, money, and resources) that we have at the time. We don't know what the future holds, so we have to go with our gut and hope for the best. We make our decision and we don't look back.
And, about those things we didn't do that we "should have" done...? Well, obviously, we can't change our lack of action. Rather, we forge ahead and make goals and action plans for the present and future.
So, I won't dwell on regrets. Rather, I will create "I will" statements for the future:
I will start taking more family photos.
I will find a way to occasionally pay for professional photos.
I will appreciate my children each day and tell them I love them.
And as for the blog....
Well, here it is. My imperfect, ever-evolving, three years overdue blog. Better late than never.
When I graduated high school, I remember thinking, I want to look back when I am old, and have no regrets. Now I realize it is impossible to live any amount of time without accumulating some regrets. And ironically, the more you try to engage in life and live fully, the more regrets you'll accumulate.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right -- the past is gone now, and all we have are the present and future.
Well said, Tim. You're so right. The more we immerse ourselves in living fully, the more opportunities we have for regrets...but also, the more opportunities we have for joy. It's a two-sided coin. I guess it's also a matter of perspective (glass half empty vs. glass half full) and a decision to live fearlessly and with abandon, despite the trade-offs and possible regrets life might bring. Thanks for reading.
ReplyDelete