Lessons, not regrets

There is a quote attributed to American actor Jennifer Aniston: "There are no regrets in life, just lessons." Whatever be the context in which she made that observation, it is not just a profound thought but seems to make a lot of sense.

 

Regret is an emotional feeling that stems out of a desire or a wish that things could have been much different from what it presently is. When things go right often most of us rarely have an inclination to take notice, and be grateful. When things go wrong, some of us just don't care, while the conscientious amongst us regret. Some go on to even brood over it; not for some time, but for days on end.

 

Regret is also a very negative emotion. The point is: why feel bad, if we did the best that could be done, and yet things went wrong? True, there is no need to regret. Suppose we didn't do our best, well, make sure we do our best next time round! 

 

To care less when things have gone wrong is worse. If we have some conscience, we should feel bad; not indifferent. Indifference would indicate detachment; a state of being disconnected; possibly even arrogance. That could eventually lead to us being not counted at all, and even doom.

 

When things go wrong, learn lessons. That's being positive. Regret only ensures that we are at the same place, but lessons would ensure that we move ahead. We would correct the mistakes, try something different, chart a new path, try new combinations, adopt a different approach... That's being active, dynamic, getting ahead. 

 

Never regret. Learn lessons!