by Tim Connor
Regret in life weighs tons. Living with words spoken or unspoken, deeds done or deeds left undone, and actions taken or not taken is one of the biggest burdens many people carry with them through life, and some to the grave.
To live each moment in life with a happy perspective and disposition requires that we live in such a way that there is no need to carry regret -into the next minute, let alone the next year. Why do people choose to live with regret? A better question is, why do people act or speak in such a way that requires them to experience the constant negative pull of regret in their life? My friends, if I had an answer to that one, I wouldn’t be sitting at my computer slaving over each word, I would be cruising the Carribbean on my 60ft yacht.
I, too, have known the sting of regrets. I can only tell you that living with them will not let happiness into your life. They will be like a long shadow darkening the way ahead, as well as the path behind you. Their stretch is well into the future, and they cloud your past with pain, anger, resentment, grief, blame or fear.
Actions or words, or the lack of them is not the real culpret here. We will all make mistakes in life that can be interpreted by us as worthy of feeling regretful. It is what we do about these issues once we become aware that we have taken the action, or said the words. We don’t have the luxury of taking back what we have said or done in the past, but we can forgive ourselves or others. What regrets are you living with today that need your forgiveness?
Make wise choices.
Every moment of our life we make decisions. Some of these are life changing, while others seem insignificant at the time. All choices lead to consequences. Some of these are positive, and some are negative. We always have options and choices. We may not like some of them, but we always have them. The choices we are given present us with the opportunity to move steadily in the direction of a better way of life as we move toward our destiny. If we chose wisely, we move smoothly toward this destination. If we choose poorly, we are guided back to the correct path.
Each of us is responsible for the quality of our life. To point your finger at anyone other than yourself for your life’s outcomes is to live in frustration and denial. Each of us is free to choose any path. So today choose wisely, for tomorrow’s harvest is planted today.
What consequences are you paying today as a result of past choices? If you could go back in time with what you know now, would you have made different choices? If so what would you have wanted the new outcome to be? It is interesting to note that people who are happy understand that they made the best choices they could at the time, with the information, experience and insight that was available to them. When asked, ‘if you could live your life over, what would you do differently?’ The response is almost always, ‘nothing’.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is small stuff? What is big stuff? One of my favorite speakers Rosita Perez is fond of saying that: you are born, big stuff. You die, big stuff. Everything in between is small stuff!!
Well, it’s back to what is small stuff. Small stuff is: (some of you might take issue with my list, but it is my list so don’t get yourself into a twit over it.)
1. Getting fired.
2. Getting promoted.
3. Going broke.
4. Winning the lottery.
5. Falling in love.
6. Falling out of love.
7. Graduating from college.
8. Retiring.
9. Your computer crashing.
10. Losing your hair.
11. Losing your mind.
12. Taking everything as if it were life or death.
13. Losing the biggest sales of your life.
14. Losing your business.
15. Losing your keys.
16. When someone close forgets your birthday or any special holiday.
17. Getting wrinkles.
18. Turning gray.
19. Ending a relationship.
20. Starting a relationship.
I could go on for hours but I am losing interest in this list as I am sure you are as well. The point is, it is ALL unimportant stuff. Life and business is a game. You won’t win them all or lose them all. Stop keeping score. The road ahead can change in a heartbeat. Relax and enjoy where you are, while you can.
Regret in life weighs tons. Living with words spoken or unspoken, deeds done or deeds left undone, and actions taken or not taken is one of the biggest burdens many people carry with them through life, and some to the grave.
To live each moment in life with a happy perspective and disposition requires that we live in such a way that there is no need to carry regret -into the next minute, let alone the next year. Why do people choose to live with regret? A better question is, why do people act or speak in such a way that requires them to experience the constant negative pull of regret in their life? My friends, if I had an answer to that one, I wouldn’t be sitting at my computer slaving over each word, I would be cruising the Carribbean on my 60ft yacht.
I, too, have known the sting of regrets. I can only tell you that living with them will not let happiness into your life. They will be like a long shadow darkening the way ahead, as well as the path behind you. Their stretch is well into the future, and they cloud your past with pain, anger, resentment, grief, blame or fear.
Actions or words, or the lack of them is not the real culpret here. We will all make mistakes in life that can be interpreted by us as worthy of feeling regretful. It is what we do about these issues once we become aware that we have taken the action, or said the words. We don’t have the luxury of taking back what we have said or done in the past, but we can forgive ourselves or others. What regrets are you living with today that need your forgiveness?
Make wise choices.
Every moment of our life we make decisions. Some of these are life changing, while others seem insignificant at the time. All choices lead to consequences. Some of these are positive, and some are negative. We always have options and choices. We may not like some of them, but we always have them. The choices we are given present us with the opportunity to move steadily in the direction of a better way of life as we move toward our destiny. If we chose wisely, we move smoothly toward this destination. If we choose poorly, we are guided back to the correct path.
Each of us is responsible for the quality of our life. To point your finger at anyone other than yourself for your life’s outcomes is to live in frustration and denial. Each of us is free to choose any path. So today choose wisely, for tomorrow’s harvest is planted today.
What consequences are you paying today as a result of past choices? If you could go back in time with what you know now, would you have made different choices? If so what would you have wanted the new outcome to be? It is interesting to note that people who are happy understand that they made the best choices they could at the time, with the information, experience and insight that was available to them. When asked, ‘if you could live your life over, what would you do differently?’ The response is almost always, ‘nothing’.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is small stuff? What is big stuff? One of my favorite speakers Rosita Perez is fond of saying that: you are born, big stuff. You die, big stuff. Everything in between is small stuff!!
Well, it’s back to what is small stuff. Small stuff is: (some of you might take issue with my list, but it is my list so don’t get yourself into a twit over it.)
1. Getting fired.
2. Getting promoted.
3. Going broke.
4. Winning the lottery.
5. Falling in love.
6. Falling out of love.
7. Graduating from college.
8. Retiring.
9. Your computer crashing.
10. Losing your hair.
11. Losing your mind.
12. Taking everything as if it were life or death.
13. Losing the biggest sales of your life.
14. Losing your business.
15. Losing your keys.
16. When someone close forgets your birthday or any special holiday.
17. Getting wrinkles.
18. Turning gray.
19. Ending a relationship.
20. Starting a relationship.
I could go on for hours but I am losing interest in this list as I am sure you are as well. The point is, it is ALL unimportant stuff. Life and business is a game. You won’t win them all or lose them all. Stop keeping score. The road ahead can change in a heartbeat. Relax and enjoy where you are, while you can.
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