My friend would like me not to open this door — the one marked “REGRET” — but I have to, if only for a few minutes.
REGRET is owning the hard truth that there was good you could have done, but you left it undone. It’s staring off into the distance, lost in thought, wondering why on earth you didn’t fully see what was good, or nurture what could have become good. Why you dug your heels in on that one issue, why you deflected conviction or correction and so never changed, why you had to have the last word, or why you left helpful words unsaid. Much of it seems such a waste in retrospect.
When you feel REGRET, you play out familiar scenarios in your mind’s eye, only this time you envision new and better endings, endings you ardently wish you could make happen, for real this time. With REGRET, you quietly acknowledge there will be no more chances to do anything differently. REGRET leaves a blechy taste in your mouth, and a sigh in your soul.
Though I don’t want to camp out here, it would be a waste not to learn from this hard truth. I missed many opportunities to die to myself. I REGRET not listening better, not caring more, not being better present in the routine exchanges of life. I suppose I thought I would have more time, more chances, more new starts. I was wrong.
I REGRET not fully appreciating what I had. The gift was the man.
-But Lord, the box! It’s banged up and imperfect.
– Look inside. See the gift.
-And this ribbon is uncurled and frayed.
– Look past that.
-And I’m not sure it fits anymore.
God, forgive me for not fully appreciating all You gave me.
Friends, let’s all take hold of this simple fact — we can live NOW in ways that will minimize REGRET later. Let’s set our sights on living mindfully, with an eye on the big picture. Let’s not major in the minors. Let’s keep no record of wrongs.
Let’s do what we can to live without REGRET.
Teach us how short our life is that we may become wise.
Psalm 90:12