I was faced with a number of regrets recently, and as I faced those regrets a loving family member died. The regrets with a background of death and sorrow made me think a lot about how we can use our regrets as teachers rather than wallow in them. Life is short, and better we live life, the fewer regrets we'll have. What have I learned from my regrets?
Even when it's difficult, if the action is well-directed, do it
Sometimes we avoid difficult actions even when we know that's the right thing to do. We may have grown up in homes where avoidance was the first course of action, or we may not have learned how to reckon with our emotions during tough situations. My regrets have taught me that one rarely regrets doing the right thing even when it is difficult. Do the right thing.
Treat everyone with respect
No matter who you are dealing with or what the dealings are like, treat people with respect. There are times when people will greatly frustrate or anger us, yet we have to treat people with respect and honesty too. It's okay to relay a tough message, strong emotion, or difficult truth, but do it with respect.
Give yourself a break from tough circumstances
Often tough circumstances have nothing to do with us, yet we have to endure them. We can almost always give ourselves a short or long break from those tough circumstances to gain perspective, and with perspective, we are much better able to navigate tough circumstances.
Love as well and as much as you can
As we gather for the funeral services, a relative remarked about the impact our loved one had made on the young people in his midst during life. His actions were simple, kind, positive, and loving, and because of that, unforgettable and impactful. Always do what you can to love as well and as much as you can.
There are so many ways to live life, and to live a good life we'll reap the lessons our regrets provide. Onward.