I don't know if it is the copious amount of snowy winter days, but
I have had a lot of time on my hands to think. Think about what you ask?
Everything! One of the more recent things that I have thought about is: regret.
Do I have any regrets? I would be lying if I said no. Many people, when
asked directly, state that they don't have regrets. I wonder how many of them
are actually telling the truth. I saw a promo a few months ago for a show
called "Hindsight" where the main character goes back in time to the
night before her first wedding to change the past. While I haven't actually
seen this show, or even know if it’s still on, it got me thinking. If you had
the chance to go back to a particular time, would you? Do you regret anything
in your life that might tempt you to go back in time? I’ve seen "The
Butterfly Effect" (a dramatized version of revising history) and a more
recent film "About Time" which also focuses on this concept of going
back in time to change something in your past. Have you ever made a decision,
and then wonder if you will regret it in the future? Do you ever wonder if it
is the best decision you could have made? For myself, I always wonder, would I
go back? Do I regret something so much in my life that I wish it had happened
differently? To be honest....yes. There are things that I would change about my
past. Are they big things like my relationships or journey to love? Absolutely
not. Those things I would not change for a minute. They are missed
opportunities.
Image Courtesy
of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
So what would I change? What I do regret?
Not having enough fun in high school and college-- I don't mean I wish I had
gone crazy, or wish I had gone to crazy parties. What I do mean is I wish I had
enjoyed high school and college more. I LOVED my high school-- I still do. It
is where I grew up; it is where I began my passion for learning; it is where I
played sports. But, I wish I had been more out-going, I wish I had taken more
opportunities to participate in clubs and activities (not just athletes), I wish
I had gone out with my friends more, I wish I had put myself out there more. I
was a book worm. School was my number one priority (aside from my family), and
I couldn't be bothered to do anything else but homework-- even on the weekends.
Sure I had friends, friends that I am still close to today, but for some
reason, I preferred studying over hanging out with friends. I wish I had said
yes to them more!!!! As for college, again school was my priority. I studied,
worked, and exercised. I am lucky that one of my best friends was not only in
the same major as me, but was my work out buddy as well. Otherwise, I would
have never seen her!!! I did hang out with friends on occasion, but I wish I
had experienced more in college. I was so hyper-focused on my major and my future
career, that I sacrificed time with friends and I sacrificed just enjoying
being in college.
So what does all of this mean for me,
especially for the fact that I can't go back? Well, instead of dwelling on the
past, I am going to focus on the present and future. I am going to take all of
the things I wish I could have changed about my past, and frame my present. I
am going to act on my regrets, so that I can improve my future :)
Improvements/Actions:
~ Say yes more! Whether it is
volunteering, hanging out with friends, participating in a school activity, I
want to be open to new experiences.
~ Initiate time with friends! I have
amazing friends, and I want to take advantage of spending as much time with
them as I can. I truly value their friendship, and I don't think I have been a
very good friend.
~ Live in the present! I honestly spend so
much time either dwelling on my past, or stressing about my future that I
forget to just enjoy what's happening right now.
~ Let certain things go! I am the typical
first-born, Type A person, and I have a hard time letting things go- whether
they are big or small. I have to remind myself, is this something that is going
to matter a week from now? Month? Year? If the answer is no, then I shouldn't
be using too much of my energy on it.
Do you have regrets? What would you change
if you could? What improvements would you make based on those regrets? I would
love to hear from you!
Happy Wednesday! :)
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