Regret.

A friend of mine always says to me after one of my heart felt confessions, “Do you think you will care about that when you are 80 years old?”  I love this; it immediately turns my feeling of regret into a feeling of courage and acceptance.  I try and remember these wise words when I am feeling bad about something I have said or done and I also apply them when I am hesitating about doing something a little scary and outside my comfort zone. Quite often we become so safe and secure in our lives that we stop taking the chances that really push us to FEEL and LIVE.  I know it can be scary to step outside our comfort zone, but isn’t that where growth comes from?  I know it has been for me.  Whenever I have taken a chance, done something scary, broke the rules, pushed the limits, or told someone how I really felt it has always left me with a feeling of being ALIVE. It has also taught me a ton about myself and made me grow in ways I never thought possible.  Worrying about what someone else thinks of our choices often prevents us from taking chances, but if it is important to us then that’s all that should matter.  Everyone has their own idea and threshold of what is outside their comfort zone, so pursue what you need to for yourself and let everyone else do likewise. Do not judge yourself by others standards, or allow them to judge you. What is right for you may not be right for someone else and that's okay. Accept it.

All of the “chances” we take in life become our stories, create your own stories, do not live someone else’s. If you have ever listened to a great storyteller you will know the wonderful feeling a good story can stir up for you.  A good story captivates, motivates and inspires others to want to live fully.  It also allows you to relive those interesting moments in life again and again.  Be that storyteller! Create and share those wonderful moments and interesting experiences that allow you to LIVE FULLY with no REGRET!

 

(Cause we want to hear them too!!)