If you ask me, I’ll tell
you I’ve made a lot of mistakes, right along with a lot of bad decisions. Who hasn’t?
Some of us just seem a bit more talented at it than others, or so it
seems. But if I really look back over my life, over my choices, over my
failures, mistakes, misunderstandings, mischievous and devious behaviors, there’s
none of them I really regret. I regret consequences,
I regret a lot of the circumstances or decisions that led to some of my choices
and actions, but I don’t regret my participation. Why?
Because I know all the choices I’ve made have been my own, and they were
made honestly; whether good or bad, that’s not what I’m talking about – only that
they’re mine.
Don’t get me wrong. There have been a LOT of things happen in my
life I was neither responsible, nor held any control, and I wish had never happened. I’m still trying to work through the effects
of some, and will always bear the scars of others, but I carry no regrets. I have
anger, sadness, disappointment, hurt, pain, and also forgiveness and mercy, but
not regrets. I am only responsible for my own choices. I cannot control what anyone else chooses or
the consequences of those choices – even if it is to my own destruction, pain
and detriment. I only have the power to
choose how I respond.
I have made a lot of
mistakes in this life. I’m sure to make
a lot more. I look at those moments, not
with regret, but as valuable learning experiences. I’m not perfect, and can guarantee many more
mistakes to come. I promise I will make
them honestly, and without regret. How you respond …is up to you.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
