I have a 16-year-old daughter who thinks she knows everything and that she’ll never die. She tells me she wants to have fun now and have no regret later. It’s not so simple.
I recently wrote that I’ve let go of my past regret. It’s generally true. I shat you not. However, while I don’t regret the things I did, because like Annie, I was living life and having fun, I do regret some of the physical damage I’ve done to my body. My heart, lungs, and liver are still in fair shape, but Lord knows I still did some damage with all the smoking and drinking. The self-abuse may have even led to my blood condition.
I also recently said that the end justifies the means. I’m sticking by that statement. And yes, I might go out and do some of my old antics again after I retire. If I do, it will be from an adult’s perspective. Perhaps, I’ll have a little more self-control. I think we have it all backwards. We should keep our nose to the grindstone when we’re young and sow our wild oats when we’re old. Why not?
Regret is funny. Unless you’ve done something so dangerous or hideous that you deserve a long prison sentence, regret does one little good. It’s like worry. It festers. Don’t be totally stupid. Go out and live a little. Have fun. And do your best to live with no regret. – dse
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