"We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do by finding out what will not do. And he who never made a mistake never made a discovery."--Samuel Smiles
Mistakes...regrets...who amongst us doesn't have them? I have many many memories of my past, and I can think of plenty of mistakes that I have made in my life...poor choices in relationships, addiction, dropping out of high school, my spur of the moment move to the city with $200 and two outfits of clothing. It would be so easy to sit back now as I prepare to enter my "so-called" twilight years and dwell on all the coulda's, woulda's, and shoulda's...but what good will that do? It's over, it's done...and, heck, the way I look at it, if I hadn't made those mistakes, I wouldn't be where I am now. It's quite possible that I never would have met my current husband, my soul mate, and I may regret marrying someone who was abusive and hateful, but if I hadn't met and married my him, I may not have had my two wonderful sons...Mistakes are how we learn our lessons in life. They are very much a part of who we are....and who we are in the process of becoming. And, isn't it something how, just one different choice can change one's entire life?
"Often regret is very false and displaced and imagines the past to be totally other than it was."--John O'donohue
So, when you think back over your own life, what do you see? Missed opportunities? Hardship? Joy?
Hoping you all have a wonderful day.
The best philosophy is Mehitabel the Cat's -- to hell with everything and "toujours gai!"
ReplyDeleteHow about all of the above and more?! Sure, like everyone, there have been mistakes, hardship, missed opportunities, etc. But, as you said, all those things combine with the pursued goals, accomplishments, joy, etc. to make me who I am today. For the most part, I am happy with that person so how can I truly regret things in my past?
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary for this post, exactly what I needed today. I have Bipolar II disorder and mistakes seem to be the pie from which I made. Compassion for self and others has been my mantra lately. Namaste
ReplyDeleteGreat post. The beginning quote is so very true. I have learned my most valuable lessons from painful, hard or downright rotten life experiences. Now when I'm in the middle of something hard, I have that as solace.
ReplyDeleteI try to live without regret. If I get caught up in that machine (which I do, I'm only human), I only remind myself that I did what I knew to do at that time and hopefully I've learned and become a better person for it.
Great post, thank you.
So very true, no mistakes, no lessons. I guess the saying, live and learn is right on. Wishing you a beautiful evening!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
I reject regret and guilt.
ReplyDeleteIt took me many long years, to reach this point. But it was worth it.
Oh sure, they try to sneak back in. That's life. But me'thinks you gotta' just keep whacking at them and keep 'em down. :-)
Hopefully we remember the regrets at the correct time to avoid adding more...
ReplyDeleteThe main thing that strikes me is the fact that I have lived this long, all things considered. Only by the grace of a Higher Power am I now writing this. A lot of wrong or bad decisions played a part in the perilous life I have tread. Which only goes to show me how little I know about the Masters Plan. X.
ReplyDeleteI need to get over the idea that a big stone is going to drop on my head one day with "treated that guy poorly" or "said nasty things about that girl" on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure out how I feel about Karma, but I refuse to believe that only my poor decisions have weight. I've made some fabulous decisions too.
The first quote is so true... I learned early on that in the long run it is best to learn from the bad experiences one has had. Regret or what ifs only bring worry and sadness.
ReplyDeleteSure there are things that I may have done differently yet really I am not sure as if i had, then my life now would not be as it is... yea it may have been better, yet it could also have been much worse...
On this stroll through this life... I take what I can... Try to be the best I can be and don't beat myself up too much for the things I may not get quite right...