Regret . . .

This is a word that creates many emotions.

First lets look at the definition.

The American Heritage Dictionary says:
re·gret

1. To feel sorry, disappointed, or distressed about.
2. To remember with a feeling of loss or sorrow; mourn. v. intr. To feel regret. n.
3. A sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone.
4. A feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wishes could be different.
5. regrets - A courteous expression of regret, especially at having to decline an invitation.

The Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary says:

Regret - Re*gret"\ (r?*gr?t"), n. [F., fr. regretter. See Regret, v.]

1. Pain of mind on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing; grief; sorrow; especially, a mourning on account of the loss of some joy, advantage, or satisfaction. "A passionate regret at sin." --Dr. H. More.
2. Dislike; aversion. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Syn: Grief; concern; sorrow; lamentation; repentance; penitence; self-condemnation.
Usage: Regret, Remorse, Compunction, Contrition, Repentance. Regret does not carry with it the energy of remorse, the sting of compunction, the sacredness of contrition, or the practical character of repentance. We even apply the term regret to circumstance over which we have had no control, as the absence of friends or their loss. When connected with ourselves, it relates rather to unwise acts than to wrong or sinful ones. --C. J. Smith.

Is it possible to live an entire life and not feel regret?

Here are some quotes that I found on the Net about regret:

1. "Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future."

2. “If we spend our time with regrets over yesterday, and worries over what might happen tomorrow, we have no today in which to live.”

3. "Regret is an odd emotion because it comes only upon reflection. Regret lacks immediacy, and so its power seldom influences events when it could do some good." William O'Rourke

4. "Never look back and regret, look back and smile at what you have learned." Michelle C. Ustaszeski

5. "It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring." Author Unknown

6. "We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." Jim Rohn

7. "A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams." Yiddish Proverb

OK, now on to some personal thoughts. I do not want to have regrets in my life. I do not want to spend the time and energy mulling over them. However, I do have them, and often they have abused my soul. I do not believe it is possible to be a human that interacts with other humans and not encounter regrets. Regrets come in the quietness of the mind through the door of introspection and reflection. Mind you I do not see regret as the enemy that is to be totally shunned. It can be a great teacher. However to languish in its classroom can bring nothing but death of a great future.

So now to a large question - What do you do with Regret? Learn, and live. That is it in my mind. Learn from it what it has to teach, then leave it there and begin to live. Each day live for that day, experiencing what it has to offer. If your regret can be corrected, then correct it and move on. If it can not be corrected, then learn, let it go and grow on into the future. Regret is a part of life, weather it is something done or said or not done or not said. It is part of the nature of Life. Learn from yesterday, Live for today, and dream about tomorrow. John Lennon said once - "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." I am saying Live. Know that in life every decision has consequences. Make great informed choices. Do not stop living for fear of regret, then regret is sure to become your bed mate. Live, Laugh, Love. Proverbs 4: 23 says - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Many times regret comes in the form of heart issues. It is from love or loves lost. Above all else, guard your Heart. Life springs from our heart. It leaps from our souls. Protect your heart. The Message Bible puts it this way -

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

In closing - regret is what it is. It is part of a life lived. We have the potential of allowing it to teach us to live better or it can become a noose that strangles life out of our soul. Do not spend great amount of time in Regrets classroom. Learn quickly and get back to living life. Peace

( note: these are a few thoughts on the subject of regret. Let me know what you think)