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| Yeah, I bet you regret not paying attention during spelling in school. |
If someone is saying
that they have no regrets, then there a couple of possible things happening
here:
- That person is a narcissist jerk face who thinks that their mistakes don’t make a significant impact one way or the other.
- That person is delusional.
- That person has simply given in to the popular belief that mediocrity is ok.
- That person does not want to take responsibility for their actions that led to negative consequences.
- That person wants to limit the amount of negative consequences by pretending it’s no big deal.
- That person is a liar.
As a chemical dependency counselor, I’m well acquainted with
the concept of acceptance. Acceptance isn’t about pretending that everything is
all lollipops and rainbows. Acceptance is about understanding that there are
things you cannot change and not letting that get in the way of your own
personal joy. Acceptance has nothing, I repeat, nothing to do with “No Regrets.”
I have heard such ignorant statements like, “I have no
regrets. Every mistake I’ve made has made me the person I am today.”
Now let me say this: I believe that I’m a pretty fantastic
person. I have a good sense of humor, a good moral compass, and I am adorable
(despite the excess amount of me). I’ve made a lot of mistakes and a lot of bad
decisions.
A lot.
Yes, I wish I had done those things differently. I’m pretty
awesome, but if I had made better decisions I wouldn't be the same person I am
today. I’d be better!!
Why is it so hard for people to admit that they wish they
had done things differently? Wishing you had done things differently does not
mean that you cannot be content with where you are in your life. They are completely
independent events.
Come on, people! If you can admit your regrets (because even
if you claim you have none, you do), then you actually have a chance of moving
past them to making better decisions in the future.
