No regrets, just what ifs. No looking back, just thoughts in hindsight. Holding a past in my arms makes me feel close to what I once had; but when I let go, it makes me realise how distant my past and I have become. There are days I don't want to think about the times that were, and other days I want to reach out and pull them towards me. I'd like to be swept away in a time machine to a place where I can discuss my future. But if I turned the clock back I wouldn't have what I have now.
The regrets don't seem quite so relevant anymore.
One summer in the 90's, I looked at the magnificent view from my holiday cottage window and marveled at the blanket of poppies that swayed in a gentle breeze. My dad stood next to me and commented on how beautiful they looked. My mum joined us. Now I drink from a cup littered with vibrant poppies; it reminds me of my past. Graceful and delicate, there for only a short time.
Some days I do have regrets; moving on from a life I could have improved will always be a what-if. But this life will always be a what-next. I can't imagine it would have been quite so fulfilling if I'd embraced my determination to turn left instead of right. I can't imagine my dad never holding a child that he would have given his life for.
The poppies continue to sway, the views continue to be magnificent, and I continue my journey to make the most of this beautiful life I have been given.
Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to be thankful for the things I have, not long for the things I don't have, or have lost.
Too true. And you made me sniffle :)
ReplyDeleteAnd living in the now is the way to make the most of life, always! Nice bit of thinking going on here. ♥
ReplyDeleteTruly gracious to realise your journey is to make the most of the life you have been given. So few people appreciate the life they have! Lovely post. x
ReplyDeleteA lovley post, beautifully written, and as they say, the present is a gift, that is why it is called the present! As always, hugs xx
ReplyDeleteWe can only make decisions from where we stand at the crossroads at the time, armed with the experience we've gathered to that point. Fate has a way of reasserting itself anyway, so don't ever regret a turn. Yes, we should look back and fondly cherish the good times and to learn from the bad - but keep our eyes on the future or our lives will already have been lived. The windscreen is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason! Great post.
ReplyDeleteOne of the Reiki Precepts is 'Just for today I will be thankful for my many blessings'. I say it every morning to remind myself. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, heartfelt post.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written - and lovely comments from everyone else! xx
ReplyDeleteLovely post...I think we all would go back and make different decisions but I truly believe we are all here for a reason so I try to just go with it...sigh....
ReplyDeletehughugs
making the most of what we have been given is the best way to live...regrets only bog you down and make you miss today...
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant post. There are things in the past I wish I could have held on to, but had to let slip from me. I think of them often, but try to reassure myself that I was lucky to encounter them at all, as I wander along Life's road. I tend to be a fatalist and think everything is for a reason although I don't always know (or understand) why.
ReplyDeleteDon't you sometimes want to be able to see all the paths through to the end and live every potential life you could have had? How wonderful though, to be content with the one you chose.
ReplyDeleteSometimes unpopular turns prove to be a happy turning in life. If I could have lived the dream to study history of art in Italy i would not have met OH and I wouldn't have the family I have today , would that make me a happier person? no! but I was quite sad at the time. Would I have loved my dad the way,you did love yours I would be suffering a lot more than I do, now he's passed away.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous post, CJ x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I have learnt from my illness is that it pays to stay in the present! Seems so precious somehow.
ReplyDeletePoppies are really beautiful.
The wind has played havoc with my cultivated ones in my garden right now compared with how they were this time last year. Sigh..... (Back to the present!)
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Beautiful post. Nothing wrong with memories but that's what they are. They're things that happened in the past and now we're here in the present.
ReplyDeleteAppreciating the now is a very valuable thing to learn - and also that if the now isn't too good, that it doesnt last. Change is the only thing we can guarantee in life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information... I really love your blog posts... specially those on Helping Organisations
ReplyDeleteStunning post, beautifully written. And such an important lesson to remember.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful view and lovely sentiments. Thank you
ReplyDeleteCan't say much more than what the others have said, a very beautiful post and yes we need to appreciation what we have and not what we don't....
ReplyDelete