"Regrets, Ive had a few; But then again, too few to mention" -Frank Sinatra
"Regret nothin' I move on and say **** you" -Transplants
When did "regret" become such a nasty word? It seems that every time I hear someone using that word it is to assure their audience that they are infallible even in their mistakes and missteps and that they don't wish they had made a better choice or behaved in a better way. A lack of regret is denial of the impact of a mistake masked as the mistake actually having a greater importance as an enlightening life lesson. It is a mask of humility covering the lack of humility. Denying regret seems to be a veiled way of saying "I am right even when I am wrong". The ultimate display of arrogance and egotism.
It is possible to live with regrets. It is liberating to admit that you have failed when you have failed, and that you have made mistakes when you have made mistakes instead of carrying the burden of always being right and doing the right thing. That is true humility. It is possible to make mistakes, regret them, and learn from them. You don't have to dwell on your missteps instead humbly acknowledge them, think about how you could have done things better, maybe even try and undo some of the negative consequences of your mistakes.
There is the possiblity that it is not all about you. There is the possiblity that the mysterious workings of the universe are not focused on teaching each individual a lesson of some kind through their mistakes and irresponsible behaviour. There is the possibility that the indifference to the suffering and discomfort that they have inflicted upon themselves and others and dismissal of any other negative consequences that are the result of their actions is simply the arrogance of an unteachable child.
"Regret nothin' I move on and say **** you" -Transplants
When did "regret" become such a nasty word? It seems that every time I hear someone using that word it is to assure their audience that they are infallible even in their mistakes and missteps and that they don't wish they had made a better choice or behaved in a better way. A lack of regret is denial of the impact of a mistake masked as the mistake actually having a greater importance as an enlightening life lesson. It is a mask of humility covering the lack of humility. Denying regret seems to be a veiled way of saying "I am right even when I am wrong". The ultimate display of arrogance and egotism.
It is possible to live with regrets. It is liberating to admit that you have failed when you have failed, and that you have made mistakes when you have made mistakes instead of carrying the burden of always being right and doing the right thing. That is true humility. It is possible to make mistakes, regret them, and learn from them. You don't have to dwell on your missteps instead humbly acknowledge them, think about how you could have done things better, maybe even try and undo some of the negative consequences of your mistakes.
There is the possiblity that it is not all about you. There is the possiblity that the mysterious workings of the universe are not focused on teaching each individual a lesson of some kind through their mistakes and irresponsible behaviour. There is the possibility that the indifference to the suffering and discomfort that they have inflicted upon themselves and others and dismissal of any other negative consequences that are the result of their actions is simply the arrogance of an unteachable child.
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