Embrace the Present: Why Regretting Decisions Wastes Precious Time

Oh, darling, let's cut to the chase. Regretting almost everything you've done— that's plain foolishness. As S?ren Kierkegaard wisely said, 'We’re all going to be dead one day, and wallowing in regret wastes precious time.'

Every choice, every mistake, shapes who we are. Do you really regret those moments of kindness or the simple pleasures of life? These are what make life rich and meaningful. Remember, whether it's Nietzsche or maybe Kelly Clarkson, 'Because you are looking backwards. You knew less then.' This reflection is crucial for moving forward.

Living in the Moment vs. Regret

It’s a hard habit to wake up to the truth that we are not victims but more like kids in Earth school. We don’t know what we know until we do, and that keeps us humble. The hard part of not judging ourselves means we stop judging others too. We’re so addicted to our anger as a way to postpone the lesson.

When you are too self-critical and have associated negative outcomes for every task, you will find yourself in guilt and regret. It's important to have plans and take decisions, but a shrewd mindset about outcomes isn't helpful. Self-reflection is important, but self-criticism beyond a limit does not help. Sometimes things work out in your favor; sometimes they won't. That's the nature of life. The uncertainty is what makes it interesting and ensures we experience every level of emotion.

Lessons from the Past: A Path to the Future

The deeper truth is that you really don’t want to do that to yourself. Nothing good can come from dwelling on past regrets. Take me for instance. I am 69 years old, and even so, I don’t do regrets anymore because those are for people who spend their lives looking backwards instead of looking forward to better things that are likely to come. Why should you care about the past when there's nothing you can do to change it? Let it go and get on with your life.

I focus on spending my time in the moment or looking at what I hope for the future. I set the bar high on those hopes because I’ve seldom been disappointed when I do. The ancient Roman statesman and philosopher Lucius Seneca once said, 'Always look forward never backwards.' I've always found that to be damn good advice. No one can or will change the past for you—not even God. Learn from your mistakes and misfortunes and leave them behind where they belong.

Forward Motion and Making Good Choices

Move forward with your life and use the painful lessons from the past to make good choices in the present. That’s all anyone can ask of you. That’s because no one can or will change the past for you. You’ve got this.

As life moves on, we must embrace not only the good but also the lessons from our past. By focusing on the present and setting our sights on our future goals, we can transform regret into new opportunities. Remember, every decision, though it may have led to regret, can serve as a stepping stone to a more fulfilling and forward-looking existence.

C'est la vie.