Vickie D. Smith Tell A Friend About Us:

Regrets ~ By Vickie D. Smith

I f you ask me about my life, and ask if I have regrets, I will be pretty quick to acknowledge that I have regrets, I'm working on being OK with "me." I have made plenty of mistakes! I've been reckless and thoughtless, silly and some other unflattering descriptions. I used to think that mistakes automatically equated with regrets. On my personal path, however, I have learned to take responsibility for the actions (and inactions) of my past, to make peace with myself and others, and then to simply let go.

I'm coming to see life as this big journey--the past is there for a reason, a stepping stone to teach me a "bigger" lesson. It simply HAD to be that way so that I can be who I am now and who I will become in the future. I've learned lessons, yes, but I don't need to live with major regrets. I believe here are no accidents or happenstance -- everything is intricately woven and occurs for a reason. Sometimes I have no *earthly* idea what the reason is, but I know there is a plan in the Universe and I am a part of the plan. I can trust that all things (including the past) are working together for good. And so, regrets can seem like a waste of energy to me.

But then, I started thinking on a smaller scale. While I see past "mistakes" as stepping stones, what about the "little" things in life that I have missed? I DO have regrets! I regret certain things ... what haven't I said or done that I needed to? What about not calling that friend or visiting my dad right before he died because I was feeling too bad or just too busy, or not saying "I love you" to someone, or not taking an afternoon to have a long lunch with a friend? What about not offering a hug when it is needed?

I need to start living today, do you? Why don't we all make a conscious effort to begin REALLY LIVING today. I propose we share our TRUE hearts with people. I propose we knock down the walls that separate our egos from our spirit and we share ourselves with love. I propose we live spontaneously and let our hearts be our guiding lights.

What will you do differently? I have started to make some changes but more are needed and will come as I fight my battles.

Vickie D. Smith, 50 has been married 28 years. She has one very spoiled cat and lives in Georgia. "At 35, when my husband and I were just ready to start our family, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which I've fondly named Missy." Visit her website Beyond The CrossRoads.

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