RazzWorks

Wouldn’t we all do things differently if we had it all to do over again? I know I would. I’m not saying I have any regrets because I don’t. Long ago I realized that everything I’ve lived through and experienced throughout my life has made me into the person I am today. And I’m happy with who I am.

However, as I look back on my life I realize that I have learned alot and if I knew then what I know now I certainly would have made different choices.

But isn’t that what Kierkegaard is saying? As we look back we see all the choices we made and all the things we have done and we realize things, we learn things, about ourselves.

Rather than looking back with regret, we must look forward with new wisdom. We can learn from our past how to make better choices in the present and future. Not that everything in the past is bad choices and mistakes but those tend to be the things we learn from.

Isn’t it true that when a close loved one dies we look back and say “I wish I had visited more?” or “I should have asked about our family history?” Well now is your chance, now is the only time we have so use it wisely Maybe you’ve lost touch with an old friend or a family member. Wouldn’t it be a shame to never rekindle that relationship? Do it now. When was the last time you told your loved ones that you love them? Do it now.

We can’t change the past but we can learn from it and from our mistakes. We also learn from the collective mistakes of others. If you’ve got a grandfather who tells you “Take care of your health, when you’re old you’ll wish you had.” then take heed of his words and try to live healthier.

We see people every day rushing around and putting in long hours for a job that doesn’t care about them. Learn from them to slow down, enjoy life and give your time to those you care about. There are so many lessons to learn from the past, from our own lives and the lives of others. Even if we just pick one thing at a time, think it over, weigh it against our own values and beliefs and make a change. It can be a small change, 1% at a time is better than nothing.

I would hate to think that at the end of my life, I might look back and feel sorry for something I did or didn’t do. It’s bound to happen, none of us are perfect. But I’d like to think that in the grand scheme, I made good choices based on what I learned from my past mistakes.

What have you learned from your past? Are there things you would do differently if you had it to do over? Let’s chat about it in the comments. See you there.

*Disclaimer: My thoughts on this subject are just my thoughts. They may or may not have anything to do with what the quote’s author had in mind when they said/wrote the words. I simply write about what comes to mind when I read the quote. If you have different thoughts or opinions they are welcome in the comments.