Something we all experience from time to time is regret that we didn’t start something, or handle something, the first (or second, or third) time we thought about it.
That can be tough. Especially if it’s something important, or something that would’ve made a positive difference in our lives.
“If only I would’ve started playing guitar when I was 12, when I got that guitar for Christmas, who knows how good I’d be now.”
“I should’ve gone to college right after high school. I’d be done by now.”
“Why didn’t I stick with working out when the year started? I was so fired up! Now it’s Thanksgiving and I’m 20 lbs heavier!”
Yep, tough to think of, and easy to get lost down the “rumination rabbit hole.”
Of course, some things we think of may be of greater consequence, and cause us even more pain.
“I’ve been a horrible father, too focused on (fill in the blank). Now I don’t have any kind of relationship with my kids.”
My favorite quote in times like this is an old Chinese proverb, or so I’ve been told. My apologies ahead of time if I’m incorrect about who said it.
It goes like this: “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is today.”
What are you going to focus on–what you could have done differently in the past, or what you can start doing today, going forward?
Don’t let another another “20 years” go by. You can’t make up for lost time, but you have today and tomorrow.
Start now. Get something going if it’s still important to you.
It may not be what it could’ve been, but it’ll be better than having this exact same conversation with yourself a year from now.
You can have a better conversation a year from now: “Hey things are moving in the right direction with this!”
And if you try and things don’t go so well? You tried! There’s honor in that. And depending on what we’re talking about, things still MAY “improve” in whatever area you’re working on. Don’t give up too soon!
Hang in there, and start that thing you’ve felt regret about never pursuing.
Until next time, be well.