Sunday, June 20, 2010

Regret and Gratitute

Regret and gratitude in one's life are made up of the people and events that cut deep and wound mightily, but are healed by the salve of love and gratefulness.


I regret not being a better judge of character in my youth.
I regret marrying my ex.
I regret not thinking better of myself.
I regret wasting so much time.
I regret being so sedentary.
I regret not being more outspoken.
I regret not going to college after high school.
I regret not taking more chances, not challenging myself to be more, be better.
I regret not setting goals for myself.

I do not regret loving my husband (even though he did not return the sentiment).
I do not regret having my four children (even though it was hard sometimes).
I do not regret being transparent and letting people into my life (even though some took advantage).
I do not regret reading all those books (which my ex hated me for).
I do not regret staying home with my children and not working (even though I would have been better prepared for single life if I had worked outside the home).
I do not regret having to go to college as a 40+ year old (I probably learned more than I would have at 18).
I do not regret being a spontaneous here-in-the-moment person (even though having goals would have been better sometimes).

I am thankful for my parents, for the lessons I learned from them and the ones I learned in spite of them.
I am thankful to God for answering my prayers and enabling me to see clearly during all the times life blindsided me.
I am thankful for the adults my children have grown to be in spite of all the obstacles in their paths.
I am thankful for blue skies and sunny days.
I am thankful for the refreshing cool breezes of spring and fall.
I am thankful for the buzz of insects on hot summer nights.
I am thankful for the sound of birds singing in the trees.
I am thankful for my friend's love and care.
I am thankful for the love of my children and the smiles and hugs of my grandchildren.

and like my youngest son used to add to every prayer

Thank you God for red chairs and teddy bears.


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29 comments:

  1. i love this...i found myself nodding a lot.

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  2. I liked this very much for many reasons.

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  3. It is good to see that your "non-regrets and thankful" list is way longer than the regret list...

    Anyone without some regrets is either lying or hasn't lived...IMO.

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  4. So much food for thought! Thank you. :)

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  5. Oh, there are things I regret as well and they are on your list! But I don't care. I lived to tell about it.

    Di

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  6. Wow! what a list, and certainly some thoughts that I can identify with.

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  7. Very nicely done. I can relate to some of things, and some I am thankful not to.

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  8. i can relate on more than a few, and you say it so well!

    nice magging!

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  9. Stevie ~ I just loved your list. I should make one. Sometimes it's good to write out the regrets and wonders that have happened in our lives. And I love that lessons can be learned through the betrayal and hurts as much as the happy, wonderful times, too.

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  10. This was beautiful, Stevie. I love your grateful heart! Thanks for a Mag-ful of inspiration. xx

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  11. "Thank you God for red chairs and teddy bears." I LOVE IT!!!!!

    At age 43 I earned my Master's degree, and I KNOW I got tons more from it than ever could have gotten at age 22...

    Your lists are good, I got a lot of thoughts and ideas from these.

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  12. A wise and wonderful series of life learnings -

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  13. Wonderful post and I love that prayer....Red chairs and teddy Bears.... I think I must add that to mine....blessings....bkm

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  14. wise woman- we all have regrets and hopefully we always count our blessings.....look to the sunny side. Great post.

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  15. I loved reading this. Love you and I'm glad on on the regret list (LOL).

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  16. Oh, oh, oh! I think this post is SPECTACULAR! I will read it AGAIN!

    I especially love the red chairs and teddy bears...may that be FOREVER REMEMBERED.

    Sweet, sweet post.

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  17. That was beautiful. You have after all very few regrets and such a positive outlook on life. When you think about it, your regrets are probably just obstacles you had to overcome in order to get the best out of life.
    xoxo

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  18. Hi Stevie! I'm sorry I've been away for a while. Reading this post made me realize that we have a lot more in common than just having grandchildren and writing a blog. We are a LOT alike, except for the ex part.

    It's a powerful list. Thank you for writing it. And I'll be visiting more often. XO

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  19. Very transparent list and beautifully shared!!!

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  20. I envy you being so open in this post. I am very private with my feelings, I am trying to change that. You gave us all a lot to think about today.
    denise

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  21. what a wonderful list...and thanks for being real with it...such a cool add to teh prayer as well. left me with a smile. nice magpie!

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  22. Wonderful! Red chairs & teddy bears..

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  23. I am in my late 60's ... and couldn't believe how many of your words could have been mine (though not written as eloquently.) Wonderful Magpie!!!!!

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  24. A very interesting account of ones life. I am glad things are better now. It is rough being young and inexperienced.

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  25. Regrets are for the road behind us and should be left there -- not carried along for hurtful remembrances.

    Wishing you a healing new week, Roland

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  26. Amen I say to many of these things. Nice writing. Thanks for sharing.
    QMM

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  27. This was so honestly retrospective, Stevie!

    As long as your "no regrets" list is longer than your "regrets"list then you have a lot to be thankful for!

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  28. This was wonderful
    and I love your photoshop

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I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to your comments. As Dr. Fraser Crane would say, "Hello, I'm listening."