risk and regret
Periodically I find myself faced with making some emotionally-laden decisions. Every decision involves taking a risk, and every risk involves the possibility of a negative outcome. And so, in these times of making decisions, I am faced with an internal dilemma. If I take a risk, leaping forward with optimism, I take the chance of falling, with a potentially painful landing. But if I don’t take the risk, then I feel I am choosing a life sentence of regret. For it is not the things I have done in my life that have burdened me with regret; it is the things that fear has prevented me from doing that have resulted in regret. I do not want my life to end with unfilled hungers and unexplored wonders. I want to live my life, knowing that I have taken chances, knowing that I have taken the risk, and knowing that I have fully lived.
posted by tara dawn @ 7:44 PM
12 Comments:
Lately I also feel the strains of decision making. And I keep thinking to myself that I don't want to end up being someone who regrets not having fully lived. But then these decisions get complicated and I have to figure out when it's best for me vs. when it's best for my marriage or my finances or my education or my career or...
But I like the idea of being open to the universe--it seems to work well with taking chances. ;) Sometimes I'm a little afraid to admit what I really want because it might actually happen.
Go girl! Life is exciting. Grab it by the horns! Its the only way to live!
JTL
xxx
I hope you find the courage each time. Think of life from the perspective of a writer/blogger -- make the choices that will be more interesting to write about!! Not that that should be your overriding concern, but it does give you a new perspective on choices and risk. We forge our own paths with each step we take through life, and though there will be circumstances that try to funnel us one way or another, ultimately they're our feet walking, our lives playing out, and at the end of it we're the ones who will be left with our memories, joys, regrets, and old journals to read. There you go: live your life for the best possible journals to read when you're old!
And what a wonderful life it will be! I know exactly what you mean and I am constantly torn between knowing in my mind that I'll regret not taking a risk, and allowing my heart and soul to jump into one. I know though, from your beautiful words, that you have all the strength to allow yourself to let go. Trust that you are amazing, and the rest will fall into place. Fabulous post!
I've tried to write to you several times so I am sorry if you get four posts. I just wanted to tell you to follow your instincts! Every time I made a decision with my instinct, things have worked out - not always the way I wanted them to and not always the way I expected, but definitely for the best! Good luck!!
This is a wonderful post. Thank you. I always find it easier to make a decision when I'm in the "here and now"--not somewhere in the past or in the distance future. I always ask: "How would I feel right now if I didn't do this thing? How would I feel right now if I made the decision to go for it?" Those simple questions always tell me a lot about what the heart wants. There is always something to be learned from the choices we make. Stay curious!
I'm going through some decisions right now too! My decisions will hurt people I love, but self-preservation will get me through.
Listen to your gut:)
Much love,
Tammy
That is SUCH an important distinction you made Tara about the decisions you most regret. Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.'
I couldn't say it better myself! But I will say anyway that we are always stronger than we think, and far more resourceful too. I hope you will make the choice that makes you feel most alive and invigorated and know that all us blogging friends are here for you no matter what you decide to do.
Life can be pretty complicated.
I really relate to your post.
I hope it is ok that I left a link to your blog in one of my blog entries.
Hi there! Just checking in on you! You haven't posted in awhile. Just letting you know I've noticed. Take good care of you!
Yeah, risks...the word describes it all.
Good luck with what you need to do. As Rumi said, "There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight of walking in the noisy street
and being the noise."
you can't do that w/o risking something.
As one who is constantly introspecting about decisions and desires, let me tell you the most important thing my roomie ever said to me....you seem to know this already, but I just can't repeat it enough. She said she wants to regret the things she's done not the things she hasn't done. That made me see that maybe I wasn't reckless (though I certainly am sometimes), but maybe my lifestyle is about feeling and living. So good for you for living too.
Post a Comment
<< Home