What’s your biggest regret and what can you do about it?
I saw this video on a friend’s Facebook wall yesterday and it spoke to me immediately. I understood it. It broke my heart to see a board in New York, that asks people what their biggest regret is, fill up with messages.
It’s a very simple film with a very powerful message. We only have the one life so why have these regrets. Take that regret and turn it into a positive. If your regret is too large then take a small step towards it and keep taking those small steps and eventually small steps will turn into a walk and a walk can take you anywhere.
It’s the same with novel writing. Write one word after another and you have a sentence. Write some more words and you have a paragraph. Write some more words and you have a scene, then a chapter. Eventually after multiple small steps you have a novel. It doesn’t have to be a race, just small steps.
Don’t live life holding on to that regret, let it go, let it fly, let this year be the year you have your clean slate and take that step, however small or large, to whatever it is you think you would have written on the blackboard.
Life is far too short.
What are you going to change now you’ve seen this video? I’m lucky in that I’m doing one of the things I would have written up there – I’m writing. I can’t regret my health and the limitations it puts on me because there is nothing I can do about that, but I think one day when my neck is in a better place, I might go back into studying as well as writing. At the minute, I don’t have the energy, but I will hold onto that thought for the future.
How about you?
MarinaSofia says
I have many regrets, but realise there’s no point in going on about it and not much I can change about some of the choices I made early on (or choices that were forced upon me). So the only regret I can turn into something positive is: not giving 100% to my writing earlier on. I simply have to do it now!
Rebecca Bradley says
And that’s all any of us can do, look at the things in our lives that we can address and approach them with positivity and do what we want to do with our lives! Wishing you all the best with it Marina. And enjoy every minute.
jenanita01 says
It is suposed to be all the things you didn’t do, that you regret the most, so seeing as though there isn’t much I haven’t had a go at, I should be reasonably regret free. But some have crept in anyway, unfortunately…
jenanita01 says
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) says
Most people’s regrets are the things they haven’t done rather than what they’ve done, and that is sad. But, never too late to change that.
And as you said, why live with regrets pulling you down?
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s so true isn’t it? You’d have thought people would regret certain actions and this surprised me because not doing something is easily resolvable. Just look at it and address it.
Margot Kinberg says
Letting go of regrets really is the only way to move forward and get on with life. And when the regret is something you can address (like regretting not having written/dieted/gone to a particular place) then you can indeed take steps towards changing it. A very positive and healthy outlook, Rebecca, for which thanks.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m glad you liked it Margot. The video spoke to me the minute I viewed it. And yes, you really do just have to let go don’t you? Otherwise it’ll eat you up and you can’t move forward.
Glynis Smy says
I no longer live with regrets.My life changed in 2012/13, but I made it a better life where I could. You have a positive outlook on you life and I wish you the very best.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Glynis. It’s not always easy but we have to keep trying don’t we? And not living with regrets is definitely something positive we can do for ourself.
crimeworm says
I’ve SO many regrets, but I think everything happens for a reason – and it’s all material for writing. My biggest is probably that the school I went to didn’t go beyond O grade, so you were forced to board in a hostel all week if you wanted to do Highers, which of course you need for Uni. There was a really nasty, bitchy, bullying female group in my year, and the thought of being stuck with them Mon-Fri – school hours were bad enough! – made me determined to leave school at 16. I wish I’d stayed on now, but at the time it really was a nightmare. The irony? The school I’d gone to upgraded to doing Highers the year after I left! Talk about Sod’s Law! So I’m working away, doing various bits of education – the practical: an ECDL which I’m doing from home, and a few short courses towards a degree: some creative writing modules, only worth 10 points each, but it’s more for the subject than the points – and I’m looking forward to starting an OU course in August. I’ve always spent my time studying something, to keep the old grey cells ticking over, and many people find it strange, but I really enjoy it!
Rebecca Bradley says
School years can be so incredibly hard. I know mine were as well. But, like you, I love the OU. I did all my level one courses in a geosciences degree before I decided to take a year off to see if I could write a novel – I never looked back. But I’d like to finish it one day. Enjoy every minute!
Aurora says
For the lady ‘above’ who’s working hard to gain those qualifications and claim back ground- I admire & respect you. Good for you. You go girl! Possible Regrets? Taking life, our physical/mental/emotional/
spiritual self, for granted without even realizing we do. We need to actually treasure every single day with every single ‘working’ faculty we are blessed with. They can be stolen from us in the blink of an eye, when it is least expected. Sight, mobility, hearing etc. All those assets we believe we have a right to. Treasure them, each and every one- for each and every day- always. Have fun & enjoy this rollercoaster ride we know as life 😉
Rebecca Bradley says
I absolutely agree with you there. As someone who was leading an active life with an active job and is now mostly housebound and sedentary you do need to make the most of everything you have. Even when you lose things – never give up!
crimeworm says
Thanks Aurora – that’s lovely to hear! Encouragement is wonderful to keep you going, especially when you realise there’s people 20 years younger who’ve already done it all and can relax! Having said that, I’d probably still study something, as I enjoy learning so much!