Thursday, August 12, 2010

Living without Regret

Regret is a word that I don't like. I like to say that I've never regretted anything...

Never?

Ok...maybe there is one thing...

Or two?

Maybe something I said...something I did...

No!

I'm not going to..

I don't want to live my life and then when I hit 80 (and boy I sure hope I do) think about something I did (or didn't)........and regret it!

Everything happens for a reason...

Right?

Regret is a waste of time, emotion, and energy..

Regrets more often come from things you wish you hadn’t done, but they can also come from things you wish you had done but didn’t.

We all need to learn to give ourselves some slack and not beat our self up about things we cannot change.

Most people have some regret that they just can’t seem to shake. But holding on to regret about a past that can’t be changed can have a dramatic impact on the possibility of a happy future.

1. Remember, nobody is perfect. Including yourself!

2. Forgiveness is golden.

3. Live for today. Yesterday was then.

Life is hard, but it is precious. Don’t waste time regretting the past, or your future will get here before you know it.

The only thing standing between you and a life without any regrets is you.

26 comments:

  1. Great post!! I have lots of things that I probably SHOULD regret, but don't, haha. I DO regret ever smoking. But, I quit awhile back. It is still a struggle but I am determined to look back and not regret that I never quit!! It is so important to realize that you can either look back and regret things or just try your hardest to change things you want to be different! I totally agree! :)

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  2. So very true Java! Good post.

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  3. Regrets...you are so young to be talking about them but wise enough to realize them. It took me until 61 to realize them and then I was 10 minutes away from dying...but I didnt and it was an awakening and today I follow your outlook. It took that part of my life to realize that life is way to short and we should enjoy every minute...so I can truly say I do not have any regrets, I lived life the way I wanted...I have 5 great kids,6 grandchildren, a hubby of 35 years and I soon will be retired to grow old with him....I have many friends, patched up all the "disagreements" I had with people and am truly enjoying life....I dont sweat the small stuff any more....thanks for the inspiration...and may your life be beautiful...like you.

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  4. I had never really thought about it, but, so far at 49, none.

    I guess it's because I realized there are no do overs. Maybe we should all them "do forwards"?

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  5. What a great topic to write on. I regret yelling at my son, I hate it when I slip and do that. Some things could have been different if, I listened to my mom. One that comes to mind, stay out of the sun! lol
    I continue to pray I can hold my tongue, its very heavy though:)

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  6. I so agree, otherwise one is wasting energy that could be put to good use!. Besides u can't change what has happened but u can make sure it won't happen again...

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  7. Great post! Regret is very troublesome to feel on a regular basis. I'm learning to let go of it, one day at a time! I don't regret too many things, but the little choices I've made that I do regret, i tend to hang on to. I'm letting them go!

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  8. Looove this! When I lay my head down on my pillow each night, I look back over my day and pray I didn't do or say anything I will regret.
    Have a GREAT day!

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  9. Absolutely! When I think back to what I could've/should've done differently, the whole course of my life would've changed...& I like my life!

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  10. Could have, Should have, waste of time...... NOW is precious I am where I am suppose to be

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  11. yes, yes I agree!
    My mother is very good example of a person who's a prisoner of her past and regrets...so sad.
    Great post!

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  12. Great post! I've been there - done all of that. Like you said, Life is hard. The older you get, the less you worry about the little things and just enjoy each day to its fullest.

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  13. Love love love this topic. How do you come up with them? Regrets? I try not to have them. I figure that whatever I've done or said has made me what/who I am today. Maybe not wonderful to some, but to me, I'm great. And I'm happy.
    Happy Thursday, dear friend.

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  14. May I use that old woman with no regrets button?

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  15. Great post to read first thing in the morning! I think even when you DO something you regret, you need to own it and move on. People can lose a lot of time and energy fretting over this and that but hey, nobody is perfect!

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  16. I was just listening to a song on my ipod about being more gentle with ourselves. I think we need to relax and enjoy life!

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  17. This is such a wonderful post, Java. Good food for thought. I'm going to spend a lot of time thinking about this today and really let it sink in and how I can put it into action and really live it. Thank you so much!

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com &
    www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  18. I have to agree with you. Everyone wishes they had or hadn't done something but letting it effect your present life is just letting the past cripple you. Sometimes we need to forgive ourselves and let go.

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  19. Thanks for the contemplative post. I am thinking through my past and I really only regret that one extra long, unfulfilling relationship. Just kidding. Really, every experience is a learning one for the next one. I am an absolute lifelong learner, and who I am today is a result of all of those regretful experiences that make me stronger today. Thanks!

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  20. I agree completely, regrets are not worth the time or effort. If you regret it, why did you do it in the first place, must have seemed right at the time, so why not now?

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  21. I have one or two, but it's true life's too short. Great post.

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  22. This one is a toughie. There are things that I would like to do over. And then there are things that hurt so much, but I wouldn't change them for anything. The thing about regret is that it is wasted effort. The only place we have power is in the present. I tell myself that a lot... usually when I am wallowing in regret.

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  23. I was actually thinking earlier this evening before reading this about something I very much regret. But you are right, continuing to dwell on such things is pointless and can be very destructive. Great post.

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  24. Great post, Java! I agree that if we remember everything happens for a reason, then it’s much easier to have no regrets.

    http://RaisingFigureSkaters.com

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  25. I love that last line about you being the only thing standing in your way...

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