Regret is a terrible thing to live with. So much time spent looking backwards that what is right in front of you can be missed. It takes a lot of effort and energy to dwell on regret. Sometimes, it takes so much out of you that a part of you actually feels like it's dying. Think about it. How do you feel after reviewing the regrets of your life? Uplifted, rejuvenated or inspired? If you are like I was, the answer is more likely you find yourself feeling discouraged, a tad bitter, deflated, listless and sometimes even depressed. Somewhere in life I learned that the messages and pictures we send to our brain cause the body to react as though we were actually experiencing that which we are thinking about. If so, then it’s no wonder we feel negative affects when thinking about the all the disappointments of the past.

For all the pain and dissappointment the past may hold, it also holds many answers, that if embraced, can help us make the future something to look forward to and even something to become passionate about.  In fact, that is what I am in the middle of finding out for myself. 

In total honesty, I am very blessed to have been born into the life I was. I’m not talking about being born into a wealthy family or lifestyle, but into a good family that I love and have felt loved by. Sometimes, no matter how wonderful an environment we are brought up in, the life we lead doesn't follow the expected direction. Being human and faced with choices, some of those choices placed me on roads that maybe looked good at the time, but in hindsight, have left me to ask myself “what the heck was I thinking?” From my youth there were the instances of ignored scholastic opportunities, declined leadership invitations, or later, choosing a degree to pursue in college that was loosely based on what I thought I was interested in, but more likely chosen because of the pressure to “declare a major”. As I grew older there were choices made that I now see reflect my lack of really knowing who I was, what I cared about, what I believed in, or even what I wanted for myself. There have been times when I felt like all I did was waste my life, missing out on doing what I have come to realize that I truly am called to do. It really felt like I had missed my chance to make a positive difference in the world. That is when I sunk into the pit of feeling regret.

I credit my blessing of having optimism and faith that helped me eventually began to climb out of my pity-pool and take a fresh look around.  What I saw was a good life, a loving spouse, years that had been filled with opportunities and experiences I would never have dreamed of or created for myself and knowledge…a wonderful wealth of knowledge.  Most importantly though, I had clarity that was putting everything into perspective.  All the years that I initially had written off to being a waste of opportunity and had lamented over with regret were actually the most important pieces of the foundation that built who I am today.  Those years weren’t wasted or useless, but were essential to create the “me” who has this wonderful passion to pursue what I see is my calling and one of my purposes of life!  How could I possibly be right where I am this very minute if I had taken any different roads or made any different choices?

So, what is my point with all of this?  Don’t waste another minute allowing regret to drain you of your spirit.  Make the decision to turn regrets into fuel to propel you to find and act on your passion in life.  The past is just that…past.  Over, done and gone.  The present is again, just that… a gift, right in front of you.  Open it and use it.  Don’t just put the gift of the present on the shelf, to enjoy “someday”.  We all have something inside of ourselves that is waiting to be used for good…for the good of ourselves and the good of other people.  Take some time to reflect on who you are and where you have been.  Learn from the past.  Forgive if you need.  Release the regret and accept the moment of now.   If where you find yourself today isn’t what you dreamed of, dare to do something about it.  Find a way to fill your life with joy, excitement and a passion for what is important to you, a passion for what you love to do, a passion for having no regrets.

Through life's experiences, Annie T. Baxter has recognized her calling for working with animal rescue. Through training from SBI! Annie is learning how to turn her passion for what she enjoys into a successful and helpful online website and profitable business. If you have a special calling or passion and would like to learn to do the same, you can find out more from SBI!'s site: What's Your Passion?