Regrets~

I had a conversation with a good friend not to long ago, and we got on the topic of mistakes and regrets. She is going through a separation with her husband, but she is afraid if she let's him go forever she will have too many regrets. She is in limbo, and I can relate.

I wouldn't even know where to start with the mistakes i have made in my life, but there are a few that really stick out...and my mistakes have turned into regrets in which I have learned to live with. A few linger in my mind and pull at my heart strings.

I lost a brother.

A mistake beyond my control. A regret perhaps for both of us.

Suffering from Anorexia, I lost out on my chance to be a dancer, and on my love of choreography. I regret not seeking help earlier, a mistake that has impacted my life in more ways than I can fathom. I regret thinking skinny was the answer.

Many years ago I hurt someone immensely, not intentionally but for lack of a better excuse I was young and immature and didn't know what I was doing nor what i had at the time. This pulls at my heart strings, often.

I married someone I knew was not right for me, and yet thinking I could change him (note to self: you cannot change people unless they want to change). I regret living with so many secrets from my friends and family in hopes I could change my situation. I regret thinking i wasn't good enough to leave and find someone else who would treat me right. Regret at its finest.

I regret not buying that huge box of vintage hankies I saw a few weekends ago at an estate sale. Regret of the material kind.

I could go on and on, but I will spare you the details.

You see as I sat there chatting with my friend, I felt her pain. I put myself right into her situation not sure if she was making the right choice. Leaving meant never having this person who meant so much to her in her life, and yet staying in a relationship that wasn't being nurtured appropriately scared her to death.

In life we make choices. We fly by the seat of our pants, we hang on to the facts we have at the moment and hope we make the right decision. Sometimes we do and sometimes we are left with the aftermath of multiple mistakes and lingering regrets.

What i have learned is this: it is ok to make mistakes. It is wonderful when you can learn from them, but life can't be put on hold because you are afraid of living with your regrets. There are more beautiful moments in life that out weigh the regrets, and there are more amazing dreams to be conquered that overshadow our mistakes. Life is a journey and if we sit back and linger we might miss our opportunities to grow.

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."

~ author unknown~

XOXO~

 

P.S. Images by Irene Suchocki

P.S.S. Thank you so much for the warm welcome I received into the world of Etsy & being a shoppe owner. I am honored to be among so many talented people. Honestly, the work I do for the store doesn't feel like work, I have enjoyed every minute of it and I have all of you to thank for your encouragement!

Cheers to you!

 

 

Comments

[Julie]

Beautiful...

xo

[Becky G.]

Tara, we've talked about our brothers before - and how we have similar situations. I've learned somthing lately. For years I've said I regret not being able to have a relationship with my brother, now I know it's not 'MY' regret! I've made the efforts and tried to be there for him. It should be 'HIS' regret because he's missing out on having a good sister who loves him, but he doesn't realize 'HIS' loss, his inability to know and show love. So now there is only sadness for my brother. No longer am I regretting something I had no part in and cannot control. Maybe you can find the peace in that knowledge yourself, and mark that regret off your list. I hope so! Becky G.

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

I think if you can turn your regrets into lessons in life, then it ultimately will turn into something positive. Well, that's the theoretical idea. Ah, life can be so bittersweet sometimes. p.s. I'm loving your Vintage Kitchen Shoppe - you go, girl!

[Jen R Sanctuary art]

oh Tara, if none of us had regrets... !I find I have so many, but ten I wonder if my life would relly be in a better place or just a different place...

[kasey]

how right you are.
Where would we be if we never made mistakes or had regrets....life would be to smooth.
xo

[rue]

regrets... mine is "if only"... if only I would have met Rich earlier... but we have each other now and that's what truly matters. Like the quote says "Believe everything happens for a reason" and I do believe that. I have to.

Yesterday made you who you are today and I think you are beautiful :)

xoxo,
rue

[traci]

what a beautiful post tara. your friend is lucky to have you in her corner. you are so right. the quote was beautiful - wrote it down.

[the wild raspberry]

love the quotes and the photos...beautiful.
i try to have no regrets...all the things we go through make us the person we are and hopefully we can use those mistakes to better ourselves.
xoxo
chas

[LuLu]

This post touched my heart. I look back on the past and have regret about a few decisions and then I think if I had made different choices maybe I wouldn't be here now {the place I am meant to be with my husband and children} I like to describe life like a quilt... full of patterns some prettier than others but all together it's amazing.
thank you for a post that let me start my day with a fresh look at the day and how I want it to be remember!
xo,
LuLu

[Amy]

Amazing Tara~
I am the one one who puts life on hold because I don't want to live with more regrets, and boy do I have plenty~
Thanks for lots to think about today. I love your blog long lost sister~
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[Rebekah]

Wonderful post kiddo. I always love to hear your thoughts on things.

[Tricia Whisler]

I love your posts, they always make me stop and think! I also love how you totally put yourself out there, I'm not quite there yet. You are an inspiration sweet Tara!
Your etsy shop is soooo great too! Congrats on your success!

[jamie]

Amen, I have had many, the only Good thing about each one, I have learned important lessons from each Regret! So to me from each Regret comes something Positive. I'm sure there will be many more down my Road of Life. xoxoxo, Jamie

[Jackie]

Beautiful post! I have some regrets, but I like how life is now, so I have to look on some of those as bittersweet because some of those decisions had to be made so I could be here now (not knowing how it would all turn out, of course). You're right - we can't put life on hold because we're afraid...I do struggle with that all the time.

[Alison Rowe]

Wow, so true! I find often waste too much energy on regrets that I have had. I find myself thinking of the regrets and wondering if I had a time machine would I really go back and change them. The answer would have to be no otherwise, I would not have the life I have now, and I am so looking forward to the next chapter and seeing what it holds! Love the quote. Have a beautiful day!

[Laura Phelps]

I have to believe that regrets are in our lives to make us appreciate the gifts. Struggling makes us stronger. Learn from it, gain from it, and move on and improve.
You gotta believe that. At least I have to.. Cause if I don't, my regret list would be longer than my to-do list today...and that list is LONG! And I would drown in regret.

[AshleyR]

What a great post Tara... beautiful advice!

[Miss Mouthy]

Thank you so much for writing this. I can't exactly explain why, but this has deeply touched me. I really appreciate your willingness to be transparent in your writing. Thank you.

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

That was beautiful Tara. I'm so glad that we can move beyond bad decisions and missed opportunities and move toward the happiness that God intends for us. I hope your friend finds peace in her hard decision. She's got a great friend in you.

So glad the Etsy store is finally up and running for you. This is one of the leaps of faith I have been referring to...someday!!

[Jaime]

Thank you so much for this post. I have always believed God sends you what you need it all kinds of forms. Today mine was through you! It is almost like you wrote this just for me today...thanks

[Katie]

SUCH AN AMAZING READ! I am going to have a friend of mine read this...who really needs to read it right now! You are amazing!
Off to check out your store as part of my new daily routine! Think Today might be the day I pick something up. :) xoxo

[heather]

Regrets are for the birds! Oh, who am I kidding!?! I have plenty. They keep me company at night. Like old friends.
With that, I hope your friend makes the right decision. Life is too short to be trapped in a marriage out of fear.

[Sara]

Beautiful post Tara. It really made me laugh that you snuck that box of vintage hankie regret in there. :o)

I hope your friend makes the right decision for her. It's really hard to let go of something you have made such an honest commitment to try at. But sometimes it's the only healthy thing to do (as painful as it is).

[Christina]

Your serious post always really get me thinking-deeply That is a good thing. There are just some things/people you have to step away from---even when it hurts. I so have regrets, but I also tend to mull over them and over them. Moving on is good. I hope your friend finds peace in her decision.

[Melissa]

Life is full of regrets and mistakes, and this is what makes it so fragile, real, and binding. The important task we all must achieve is learning to live as best as we can with the 'rear-view' mirror removed from our 'driver's seat' of life.

Beautiful post.