As I look back to my youth I find I have many regrets. Things I should have done, things I should have said, in fact any number of actions I should have or shouldn’t have taken. You’re older now and hopefully wiser but you must realize that yesterday is gone and nothing will bring it back. So, regretting is like strapping a metal boot to your leg and dragging it around and impeding you.
All you can hope for is doing things differently today. Refuse to be burdened with an unreachable past. When the rain is over, it’s gone. The trees have swallowed it all and are now eager for a brighter tomorrow and so should you be. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t make amends if you feel you haven’t handled something properly, but once you’ve reached out and it hasn’t served to make things better, drop it. Regrets won’t solve the problem, perhaps time will.
Look on tomorrow as a clean slate and write good things on it. When you handle situations to the best of your ability, stop reliving the moment and go on. Governments make mistakes, and so do people. But notice, the world keeps turning. Fortunately, and hopefully, as we age a wisdom comes on us. We learn that everything is not earth shattering and this too shall pass. In the Broadway play Annie they had a song, “Tomorrow.” They sang; the sun will come out tomorrow. The lyrics urged you not to take everything so seriously. Yes, there are important decisions to be made, but once you’ve given it your best, turn away and don’t be regretful. Chances are you’ve chosen the right path, agreed to do the best thing or perhaps the only thing, and once the decision is made, let it rest. Take a deep breath and throw regrets out with the garbage. Smile and welcome tomorrow.
Judith Levy is the New York Times best-selling author of GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS, which has sold four million copies to date. Her newest offering is the beautifully illustrated GREAT-GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’s bound to be another best-seller.
