regrets, i've had a few

[CharleyH]

I regret that I chose the chili stew and not the poached fish on the lunch menu today. I still have the burpsies at midnight.

Such is your regret - and mine - I had sea bass AGAIN today! SHIVERS ... fish head eyes looking at me - SHIVERS. GUILTY - REGRET.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

That I wasted years as a young adult and well into middle age, fucking around instead of pursuing an advanced degree, undertaking ventures and jobs that I was not good at and/or did not care about, and as a result failed to find my niche until relatively late in life. Life has been good since then and I come a long way, but how much further I might have gone had I pursued a real education and tried to accomplish big things a long time ago.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I still have the plane ticked to the States - Arrival date: 21 March 2006.

I should have taken that flight.

 

[Guest]

The biggest regret I have right now is not being there when Gabrielle left us.
I can't explain the circumstances to why, but the pain and guilt I feel is something that I can't remove and though my Love understands and has forgiven me, I just cannot forgive myself.

 

[starrkers]

I regret sticking in a job long after I should've tossed it. Staying for "the good of the family" until it wore me to a thread of emotional instability and made me so much less able to cope with my family's little traumas.
Hindsight is a beautiful thing.,

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

When i was MIA in his eyes for 2 weeks. It turned into an eternity.

i'll never forget.

 

[Bizkit_Writer]

Regrets? I got a few

but the biggest one would have to be giving my virginity to someone I didn't love...

Next would have to be getting to know my step father before he passed suddenly

 

[McKenna]

I regret that I didn't take that motorcycle ride with my brother when he offered. Now, it's too late. Much too late.

 

[McKenna]

That I spent a lot of my life being told who I was by other people.

Oy, this one is painfully familiar.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

None, because regrets are pointless. Leave the past behind and move on.

That's generally good advice. That said, are there certain kinds of regrets that can be useful in helping one live a better life and avoid mistakes in the future? Or, a certain way of mentally dealing with regrets that has this result? Other than that, I agree that not only is it pointless to pick at scabs out of perverse masochism or a misplaced desire for self-punishment, it's destructive.

And also - hugs to those of my friends who have written of poignant memories here. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, my heart goes out to you.

 

[Disrupted]

Cannot afford to have regrets when it occasionally feels as if the whole world has been placed upon one's shoulders. Better to go down fighting with a self-assured grin than allow others to determine one's course in life. Alas, I am rambling.

If I may say this, I believe it is one thing regarding "old age" that really infuriates me (having regrets, that is). During that stage, it seems as if many people finally start looking back at their individual lives (and accomplishments, or lack thereof) only to drown themselves in sorrow and "what if" moments.

Some things cannot be changed, but that does not mean everything is set in stone. If they persist in causing needless anguish, do something about it.

 

[SimpleGifts]

All of my regrets are tied to opportunities that I passed up or didn't pursue, but they are really all tied to one big regret--that I didn't recognize sooner how good I really am, and thus ended up limiting myself far more effectively than other people could.

My second big regret is that the woman who finally was able to convince me of how good I am walked out of my life, and I let her go.

But I agree with others...obsessing about regrets leads to an endless and pointless meditation on "if only." In my case, recognizing what led to those regrets and addressing THAT issue has been very constructive, and so those regrets serve their purpose. Also, while I do wonder how my life might be different if only I had done whatever...there is so much that is good in my life, regardless, that I can't say I am completely sorry that things turned out this way.

SG

 

[Trombonus]

There are things I wish I hadn't done or wish I had done differebtly, but I hesitate to call them regrets. Despite my mistakes in life I always learn some type of lesson from them. So, It's hard for me to regret those mistakes since they have shaped me into who I am today. I get a little better every time.

 

[elsol]

No regrets.

I am who/what/where I am because of EVERYTHING that has come before.

 

[TE999]

Regrets are but buzzing gnats in the face of Life.

Swat them away and walk bravely into your own bright future.

 

[ChristopherMaxwell]

I regret the first cigarette that I ever put in my mouth. I don't regret the cigars, however.

I regret that she and I ever had to have this break, but I think that when we reconcile, we shall be better off for it. I just wish that we can have been better together, anyway, without it.

I regret that I had to be away from her for several days this last week and weekend.