I see surveys on MySpace all of the time asking questions like, “What are you wearing today?” or “What’s your favorite food?” Today, I actually saw something on there that made me think. Generally, I don’t do regrets. I’m not the type of person who sits and thinks about what I should have done. I take all of my mistakes as indicators of effort and of lessons in how I should approach the issue the next time around. This question, however, made me think back to a time in my life that was a little difficult to recall. The question was “If you could relive one day in your life, what day would it be and why?” This one was difficult for me because there is actually one day in my life when a decision I made was rather pivotal. I’m not really able to discuss the particulars here, but I got to thinking about all of the ripple effects from that one set of decisions and it was a little depressing.

For a moment, I felt bad. I started thinking about missed opportunities and the things I put myself through as a result of that one decision. But then I remembered that everything I have done has led up to this moment. If I had taken a different path, I might not have ended up here with a husband and daughter whom I could not live without. I might not have ended up here, talking to you about the things that I find interesting. I might not have ever finished writing one book, much less two and I certainly might not have finished college. I hadn’t realized that so many “mistakes” could bring you to a place where you are content. My point is this: Don’t waste your time with regrets. They only serve to make you discount the achievements you have had in your life. Regrets do not allow you to understand the moves you have made, they only serve to blind you to your strengths. Don’t look back on what you have or haven’t done with regret. Look forward to what you can do with a sense of hope.

Until next time…