Regret
started thinking this morning (scary, huh?) while I was on the elliptical. Yesterday was my 43rd birthday, and with today being the new year, I started reflecting on the past year, my successes and my failures, and started thinking about regret. Regret plays a big part in my compulsive behavior. I avoid dealing with my feelings, and regret in particular, with it’s close association to guilt, can be troublesome for me. Letting go of regret is something I’ve been working on for some time, and it’s a journey I see in front of me for probably the rest of my life.
However, I realized something important this morning. The best way to avoid regretting the past is to act with integrity in the moment. When it comes to food, I have never regretted NOT eating something. I have never regretted choosing a healthy food over an unhealthy food. I have never regretted exercising.
I have never regretted acting with compassion and empathy. I have never regretted helping another person. I have never regretted making a new friend. I have never regretted taking care of myself in a healthy way.
My goal in 2009 is to avoid regret. Not by numbing it with food, but by acting with integrity in the moment. I’m not perfect and I’m sure that I will make mistakes, but I will own those mistakes at the first possible moment and make amends for them.
Posted by Matt on 01/01 at 09:37 AM
Next entry: Boundaries and Consequences
A life without regrets - this is indeed something we should all work toward. Good post.
Posted by South Beach Steve on 01/04 at 04:18 PM