I always tell people, I have no regrets. Some people, believe me, some people look at me funny, while other people try to call bullshit.
I used to have regrets until one day I realized that those are just silly things to hang onto. Regrets will have you play over the same old story you have been telling yourself. And when you’re on the journey to find your own happiness, to constantly play the stories of
- I am stupid.
- I made a mistake.
- I’m a fool.
- I can’t do anything right.
Well, those stories, playing over and over aren’t going to help you. I truly believe that when you hang on to believing you made mistakes and tell yourself you should have done things differently, you are seriously impacting your own happiness.
So, instead of hanging on to regrets, look at those events and experiences and see what you can learn from them. Acknowledge the negative parts of the event but also really hone in on the positive of the experience.
Yes, there is always a little of both, but once you know the positive you are creating an awareness that allows you to grow.
It’s easy falling into the trap of shame and blame when you live with regret instead of looking for the growth and expansion you’ve experienced instead. I don’t regret leaving a long-term relationship even though the love has never faltered. But I needed to believe in myself, find my own strength and feel 100% secure in who I am.
One of the toughest questions someone asked me is if I regretted signing the papers for my son’s transplants to go head and when I tell them no I don’t, sometimes this is the response:
“Of course, you don’t regret it because everything turned out fine”.
I spent some time pondering this and even if everything would have gone the other way, I am 100% sure I wouldn’t regret it no matter what the outcome. And yes, I am grateful it turned out the way it did.
But here’s the thing, regrets are full of “what if’s” and I don’t remember a time in my life where “What if” really served a purpose, except for “What if I was successful” but even then, I am cautious.
Regrets really dampen your confidence and your courage to try again.
Regrets hold you back and retell the story of your failure time and again.
Instead of hanging onto regrets, choose to let them go. See them for valuable teaching moments and decide that every decision you make from here on out, will be the best decision for that given moment.
Because each decision the past was fulfilled and met the same way.
We all do our best at each given moment with the information and knowledge we have at that given time.
You can’t do more than that.
So, decide right here and right now that you will let go of regret and look at them with new eyes! What did you learn? How did you grow?
Feel the weight lifted off your shoulders and step into your self-awareness so you can acknowledge where you can grow and expand to be the best possible you – always.
And if you are regretting not taking action towards your dreams + goals sooner, it’s never too late to start now. If you are ready to stop sitting on the sidelines then maybe it’s time for some Get it Done Coaching?
