Article Contributed on: 5/22/2009 10:01:58 AM
It's that time of the year when students are finishing up their studies and parents are inundated with a variety of end-of-the-school-year activities. There is an excitement in heading into the summer and maybe even a chance to look back over the year - I *heart* yearbooks!
As you look back over another year gone, it's easy to see the good and the bad with some perspective. And then someone asked me about regrets. Sure, there are things that have the potential for regret. For students, it might be that test they wish they would have studied harder for or the friend they wish they wouldn't have gotten in a fight with. It could be wishing they had made the team or finished better in a competition.
As parents, we might wish we had encouraged our kids in their athletics or academics more. That we had spent more time in the classroom or helping them with their homework. But may I suggest that regret is just a close cousin to worry?
Worry is one of those downers in life. I know people who are chronic worriers about everything from their health to missing a phone call. I've always thought that worry was one of the greatest burdens that we carry as humanity. Does it ever help a situation? No. Does it make you feel better? Absolutely not! Usually, I feel worse when I let myself worry. It adds nothing positive to life. And so with regret.
I don't think anyone likes to look back over a school year and feel regret. It doesn't help you to move forward in a positive way. It's not productive at all unless you can actually do something to change the past. Last time I checked, that's impossible.
No one lives completely without regret. In fact, I can already tell you that I am going to regret that later today I am going to worry that I did a terrible job at some thing or another! So I suppose there are really two alternatives to combat this worry/regret problem. First of all, let's decide to live every day in the best possible way. Whether we are students or parents or otherwise, when we treat people in a kind and thoughtful way and share love and peace with one another, we are making the world a better place. We will never regret that.
And secondly, when we do things that we don't feel great about, let's try to make it right. Call the person who you hurt. Decide to try out for the team next year. Make it a point to study harder or be more proactive in encouraging your children. Because to live without worry and regret is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and those you love.