Last year impacted people in one of two ways; people experienced breakdowns or breakthroughs. It does not matter what 2020 looked like for us, as it is now in the past. The past has the possibility of holding your life hostage even if you have the greatest opportunity right in front of you. One major significant hindrance to living life in the present moment is regret. It will not matter what opportunities are available in 2021 if the regret of last year’s disappointments is a constant voice and attitude.
So instead of trying to write something inspirational, I will share something I recently read that summarized what regret looks like, and what joy, happiness, and fulfillment we can experience when we leave regret behind.
Leaving the City of Regret by Larry Harp
I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant, and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."
I got tickets to fly there on Wish I Had airlines.
It was an extremely short flight.
I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been.
No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.
As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they
would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion.
Many of the town's leading citizens would be there.
First, there would be the Done family, you know,
Should Have,
Would Have
and Could Have.
Then came the I Had family.
You probably know ol' Wish and his clan.
Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost.
The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too
many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.
Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.
Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed.
But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME!
I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there.
I didn't have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE
TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY.
I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as
encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of Regret
immediately and left no forwarding address.
Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? YES!
But there is no physical way to undo them.
So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations NOW.
Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there.
My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.
God bless you in finding this great town. If you can find it,
it's in your own heart.
Please look me up. I live on I Can Do It street.
It is a year full of possibilities.
If you want to know more about coaching and how a coach can help you discover your calling, live purpose-fully, and lead with impact, click here.
Wishing you the very best in 2021,
Samantha.
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