regret

Did I do the right thing? Did I say the right words? Should I have done it this way? Would that have been better? If I did it differently would I have what I wanted now?...

There are opportunities for constant second guessing! There are chances for regret in every decision that we make. But why dwell on what could have been, it's not. Sure, one small change could have made the difference between yes and no, but that choice was made for a reason, right? Whatever we were thinking, saying, doing at the time. It doesn't make it right or wrong, that is a different issue, herein lies regret. I suggest we only regret what we can change, and if we can change it, and we do change it, then there is no regret.

Constantly replaying it in our minds, as I often do, is not going to change it. If you are going to replay it, then replay it to learn from it and don't let it happen again. There is no good in living a life filled with regrets. I am a believer in the "everything happens for a reason" perspective but there are other perspectives too, "we make reason out of everything" and "shit just happens." No matter which belief you subscribe to none of us can go back in time and change the things we wish we could. And none of us can predict the future when we are making decisions. We can only use our experiences to guide us and make the best decision at the time.

Be thoughtful, not regretful.