Without Regret
"A life without regret ain't a life worth living." -- Lavon Hayes in Hart of Dixie
I read an article in the AARP magazine by radio host Peter Sagal titled "Dear 23-Year-Old Me." He touches on those topics of regret and second-chances and do-overs. But he also says, "...let go of regret: Put aside your fears. Enjoy every minute of your youth."
I'm thinking intently on this. I have lived a hard life. So very many BIG mistakes. But would I really want a do-over?
Heck no! I didn't really enjoy it the first go around, and what if it was WORSE the second time?
But..... it has all been a stepping stone in this life's journey.
There's a small stream, maybe 20 feet wide. It seems easy enough to cross, as smooth rocks are visible just above the gently moving water and stretch from one side to the other. Sure, take that path. The grass is greener over there, softer, worth the possible misstep that might land you in the shallow stream.
Soon the seemingly easy trek across the water turns HARD. The stones are moss-covered and as slick as walking on ice in stilettos. Those deceitfully smooth stones bear confusion and depression and anger and weeping.
But, they are the way to the other side.
Its a slippery way to progress. Falling into murky waters is inevitable--hanging onto a stone with sludge covered muddy hands against a sudden raging current, scrambling for air and endurance and the ability to get out of the water and back up onto the blasted stone to catch a breath feels beyond your strength.
Fighting the current, scrambling, wrestling for something......safety.
Exhausted, but sitting on top of a stone, you look back over your shoulder. You realize with some pride, that you have come a really long way.
Smiling, you stop and rest atop the stone you find yourself on. More than halfway. There are more steps behind you than ahead of you.
Just sit here a minute and breathe, okay? Wait for the trembling to subside and the fear to wear off. Recover before attempting another stone. Feeling dreary, wet, frightened and mud covered are part of the journey, and its hard to see what's up ahead beyond the next stone. So just rest a minute.
Finally a glimpse at the other side, and the satisfying realization of how far you've traveled. Suddenly the journey has empowered you and you can see the distance shortening.
In a little while, you feel courage, and strength you didn't know you had until you rested on this very stone, and intentionally looked at how far you had come.
Standing, with renewed determination you gaze ahead. The next step is a big one, and the journey may have knocked the wind out of you. But you know you can do it.
And without regret, you jump for it......
I read an article in the AARP magazine by radio host Peter Sagal titled "Dear 23-Year-Old Me." He touches on those topics of regret and second-chances and do-overs. But he also says, "...let go of regret: Put aside your fears. Enjoy every minute of your youth."
I'm thinking intently on this. I have lived a hard life. So very many BIG mistakes. But would I really want a do-over?
Heck no! I didn't really enjoy it the first go around, and what if it was WORSE the second time?
But..... it has all been a stepping stone in this life's journey.
There's a small stream, maybe 20 feet wide. It seems easy enough to cross, as smooth rocks are visible just above the gently moving water and stretch from one side to the other. Sure, take that path. The grass is greener over there, softer, worth the possible misstep that might land you in the shallow stream.
Soon the seemingly easy trek across the water turns HARD. The stones are moss-covered and as slick as walking on ice in stilettos. Those deceitfully smooth stones bear confusion and depression and anger and weeping.
But, they are the way to the other side.
Its a slippery way to progress. Falling into murky waters is inevitable--hanging onto a stone with sludge covered muddy hands against a sudden raging current, scrambling for air and endurance and the ability to get out of the water and back up onto the blasted stone to catch a breath feels beyond your strength.
Fighting the current, scrambling, wrestling for something......safety.
Exhausted, but sitting on top of a stone, you look back over your shoulder. You realize with some pride, that you have come a really long way.
Smiling, you stop and rest atop the stone you find yourself on. More than halfway. There are more steps behind you than ahead of you.
Just sit here a minute and breathe, okay? Wait for the trembling to subside and the fear to wear off. Recover before attempting another stone. Feeling dreary, wet, frightened and mud covered are part of the journey, and its hard to see what's up ahead beyond the next stone. So just rest a minute.
Finally a glimpse at the other side, and the satisfying realization of how far you've traveled. Suddenly the journey has empowered you and you can see the distance shortening.
In a little while, you feel courage, and strength you didn't know you had until you rested on this very stone, and intentionally looked at how far you had come.
Standing, with renewed determination you gaze ahead. The next step is a big one, and the journey may have knocked the wind out of you. But you know you can do it.
And without regret, you jump for it......
 |
©CherieElaine2017
|
Comments
Post a Comment