In the last issue of Sunday Peace, we focused on Advice When Making Major Life Decisions. Today we will discuss bad decisions and living with regret. As a physician, I have the privilege to meet people from all different walks of life. Patients share their most intimate details of their lives with me. One of the more common illnesses that I deal with is Depression. Many people who are depressed can identify one particular decision that changed the trajectory of their lives. They relive and replay a bad decision over and over. Their thoughts always seem to focus on “I wish I had known” or “I wish I could turn back time.” Living in a space of constant regret is damaging to your spirit and well being. It can lead to poor physical and mental health.
Forgive Yourself
There are varying reasons why people make poor choices. They range from not being well informed, to an act of impulsiveness and to a lack of life experience. Whatever the reason, it’s important to forgive yourself. Yes, you made a poor choice, but it wasn’t your fault. You literally didn’t know better. Now that you know better, you can do better.
The greatest life lessons are often made from making mistakes. Those very mistakes will allow you to grow and mature. Learn to forgive yourself and move forward. Don’t let one mistake define the rest of your life.
Many blessings.
