The First Thing That Comes to Mind Is…
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word – regret?
Bonnie‘s take~
When I think of the word “regret” it leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling and I don’t like it. There are lots of things that I could say I’ve regretted in my life; guys I spent too much time with, not going back to school, switching jobs, moving, marrying some people, suntanning, taking risks with my health…
My first recollection of this feeling of regret was when I was in Kindergarten. The teacher used to occasionally choose a child to accompany her to the little store near our school during lunch hour. It was a great treat because the one on one time with the teacher made the kids feel very special and she used to let them choose a candy too. She was going to ask me to join her one day when another child cried that it was her turn to go. So she took out a coin and asked us to choose heads or tails. I chose tails and when she flipped the coin it landed on heads. (I always choose heads now) I remember the deep disappointment I felt at that moment and this uncomfortable feeling that nagged at me for a long time as I kept thinking “Heads! Why didn’t I choose heads!!”
But then I remember that all of those things that I regret are also things that helped mold me into the person that I am today. All of it has made me into “me” and I am actually grateful for them…now. (Except for the suntanning)
Tracy’s two cents~
I agree with Bonnie, if I have regret for anything that could have been a life altering decision then I wouldn’t be the person who I am today. If I had married someone else I wouldn’t have the unique friendship that I have with Scott and I wouldn’t have my kids who are incredible little human beings! If I had chosen to follow my career instead of being a stay at home Mom, my kids and I wouldn’t have the relationship we have today so there is no regrets there.
Lets look at the little things in my life I might have had regret in doing. Pulling the wad of gum out of my hair without looking to see how big it was and having a bald spot for months afterwards…obsession over a guy who wasn’t really worth it…I have regretted pressing ‘send’ on occasion. I will just leave that one ‘open’ for interpretation. I regret eating the plate of brownies between yesterday and today but then again I could really go for one right about now with a glass of cold milk…I ran one of them off today… I regret not checking or looking back before winding my daughters head up in the window of the Jeep…ouch! Now I am going to have bad dreams! How about it Jake? Anything juicy that comes to mind?
Jacquie’s thoughts~
6 Comments
anne
The devil in me wants to tease Jacquie about everything else that was in that journal…but I might regret it…hmmm…lemme flip a coin…Fudge. Tails. (Heads! Why didn’t I say heads???) Oh well, gotta run. I have to start making up for all the time I’ve wasted in my life, obsessing about men who aren’t really worth it…C’est ma vie!!! 🙂
jacquie
Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption…
…and did it my way…
from Sinatra’s “My Way”
bonnie
Funny! 🙂
Shirley
I think regrets can be a negative, especially if you talk about it repeatedly, even yearly amongst friends or relatives. It would make you feel bad, or sad, or even mad. Move on, and make better decisions and have new, positive, and achieveable goals!
jacquie
Shirley, you rock! It’s all about the future and making better decisions. : )
Josie
I view ‘GUILT’ as a kind of self-inflicted injury; the result of knowingly committing a wrongful act. I believe ‘REGRET’ is already examined and defined to everyone’s satisfaction.