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

[Suzann]

A Terrific post. Regrets. I think we all have them. I hope we all learn from them.

[Julia]

This entire post made me choke up. Oh, how I feel every regret. So intensely. It's difficult for me not to punish myself with those regrets. Maybe if I felt sorely enough I could pay my due for the foolishness and hurt? It never makes sense when I type it out, when I confess and lay myself open. How could anyone hold all of their regrets? There's not enough room here for the regrets and the joy. Just joy. Just hope and the joy!

Thank you for sharing. I feel so blessed by these posts!