Regrets
We've all heard that one of the worst things to have in life is regret. I agree. For me, I learned this lesson as a Freshman in high school. I wanted so badly to run for Student Council but didn't know how it worked. Add to that I'm sure I was a little scared. I inquired, after the fact, and the then Student Council Advisor said: "You should have just put your name on the ballot. Most every Freshman who puts their name on the ballot gets elected because nobody really knows anyone. I'll bet you would have won."
Now whether that was the actual truth or just the words of a very kind woman spoken to a heartbroken, fragile looking student - her words resonated. I knew that I NEVER wanted to feel the regret I felt that day ever again. Somehow I also knew, thankfully, that I could avoid the pain of regret by acting on things as they happen. And the more fearful I felt about something the more I just KNEW I had to take steps to figure out what I really wanted to do about the situation and then do it.
xoxo
Don
The Weight of the Past
Holding onto regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go.
It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue. This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds. We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again. We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.
Forgiveness is the soothing balm that can heal regret. In meditation, we can imagine discussing the issue with the self of our past and offering our forgiveness for the choice. In return, we can ask for our selves’ forgiveness for keeping them locked in that space of judgment for so long. We may also want to ask forgiveness from anyone else who may have been affected and perhaps offer our forgiveness. By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Imagine that you have actually gone back into the past and made this change, and then say goodbye to it. Release your former self with a hug and bring the forgiveness and love back with you to the present. Since we are usually our harshest critics, it is amazing how powerfully healing it can be to offer ourselves love.
Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the dreams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past.
Now whether that was the actual truth or just the words of a very kind woman spoken to a heartbroken, fragile looking student - her words resonated. I knew that I NEVER wanted to feel the regret I felt that day ever again. Somehow I also knew, thankfully, that I could avoid the pain of regret by acting on things as they happen. And the more fearful I felt about something the more I just KNEW I had to take steps to figure out what I really wanted to do about the situation and then do it.
xoxo
Don
The Weight of the Past
Holding onto regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go.
It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue. This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds. We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again. We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.
Forgiveness is the soothing balm that can heal regret. In meditation, we can imagine discussing the issue with the self of our past and offering our forgiveness for the choice. In return, we can ask for our selves’ forgiveness for keeping them locked in that space of judgment for so long. We may also want to ask forgiveness from anyone else who may have been affected and perhaps offer our forgiveness. By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Imagine that you have actually gone back into the past and made this change, and then say goodbye to it. Release your former self with a hug and bring the forgiveness and love back with you to the present. Since we are usually our harshest critics, it is amazing how powerfully healing it can be to offer ourselves love.
Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the dreams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past.
"By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past."
ReplyDeleteSo true, it takes the sting out of the regret and makes it a lessons learned.