A friend approached me today with a rather delicate scenario and asked what I would do.
The past is the past. The desire is the desire. The fact that this person has no intention of repeating the past is honorable. Yet – I sensed there was some fraction of guilt sprinkled with strong desire and a beckoning to summon strength. What an emotional burden to bear. An internal battle, a psychological impasse of sorts.
Yet, it’s really not so difficult. It’s rather simple, indeed. I did empathize with my friend. I’m talking with her, I heard a human being seeking validation to act upon her desires, or to do the right thing.
I can only give advice based on my experiences and personal values, beliefs and morals – and all of the above have been through war, yet came out winning. If there was a Purple Heart awarded for lessons learned, it would be mine.
We can’t change our past. But we can shape our future.
I am not proud of some things I’ve done, yet I don’t regret them. I would not repeat them, but wouldn’t change the past because I wouldn’t have grown in the way I have or be the person I am today.
We learn. We grow. We make better decisions. And for those who are hurt by that when they want you to be the person they knew back when – well, that’s on them. Maybe they need to look within.
Regret, and gloating, are both a waste of time. Learn, grow, and be the best person you can each day.
