No Regrets
by
Alan R. Stafford
Managing the Regret in Your Life
What are your regrets? No matter who you are or what kind of life you lead, you’re certain to have had regrets in life. Regrets happen to everyone. It is a feeling we experience when deep down inside we’re sorry for doing something.
Often, we regret things that are the same or very similar. These can include actions such as:
Saying something hurtful to a loved one
Betraying a lover’s trust
An argument with a friend
Losing your temper with a child
Regret is a very trying emotion, because it sticks with you from the first moment and seems to go on forever. Over time, we carry more and more regret with us every day.
What makes us do such regretful things? The answer to that question is simple; we’re all human. Being human means that we’re prone to bouts of thoughtlessness and carelessness.
Even worse can be the regret that we feel for not doing something, instead of regretting something we did do. These regrets can be even more difficult to handle.
This is also caused by our being human. Just as we are sometimes thoughtless and careless, we’re also sorry for the lives we did not live to their fullest. Among the worst of this type of regret is losing someone you love without having said goodbye.
On occasion, seniors are requested to answer surveys. These questionnaires often ask seniors to reflect on their lives to identify how they’d have changed their lives if they could. In almost every case, the answer is the same. There is a regret there about things that they didn’t do, or didn’t do often enough. This is far more frequent than wanting to change things that they did.
Among the most common responses, were that the seniors wished that they had:
Played more
Laughed more
Trusted more
Volunteered more
Donated more
Sung out loud
Danced to the music
Made friends with the neighbors
Tried “strange” or exotic foods
Done something trivial…just because
Reveled in a sudden rain shower
Tried that restaurant that they kept saying they’d try
Told friends how much they mean
Tell loved ones how much they’re loved.
There is a lot of wisdom to be learned from people who have lived longer than we have. You can wear your seatbelt, and still laugh at bad drivers instead of getting frustrated. You can get good grades and do well at work, without obsessing your entire life about it. You can tell your family how much you love them…even when you sometimes think you don’t. Deep down, you know you do, so tell them every day.
Most importantly, don’t forget that there’s nothing wrong with taking your time every now and again. Instead of rushing everywhere and getting frustrated and stressed with every obstacle, take your time and enjoy life. This doesn’t just apply to trips in your car, but to everything in life. Instead of thinking only about your destination, slow down and enjoy the journey that takes you there.
About The Author
Dr. Stafford is a speaker, writer, class leader, and personal coach on topics important to Singles and Couples. As a relationship coach he helps men and women of all ages find the love of their lives and lives that they love. If you're tired of being alone, or worry you're with the wrong person, call or email Alan for a no cost introductory coaching call to see how personal coaching can benefit you.
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www.relationshipsuccessexperts.com
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