Regret

I have found that one of the things that we, as individuals, struggle with greatly is self-forgiveness and the subsequent self-love. We are experts in remembering clearly all the 'mistakes' that we have committed, all the words that we wish we could un-speak and the actions that we dream of un-doing. It's as if we forget that we are human, that we aren't perfect and that mistakes happen.

While I personally hold myself down for everything wrong that I recognise to have done, feeling regret for not having known more, I am also some-what liberated by that feeling. It's the very feeling of regret that allows me to know that next time, I'll know differently and act differently. It's the very regret that leaves a mark on my soul telling me to be more careful next time. It's the very regret that reminds me that I still have so much to learn, to grow and that's ok. Articulating this outstandingly is Kathryn Schulz in her TED talk 'Don't regret regret''.

We all make rash decisions that lead to imprudent actions. It has happened to all of us, every single one of us. The art, however, is in learning to walk with that regret and learning to embrace it. It's learning to forgive yourself for not having done better, and to ultimately, learning to love every part of you (including regret!).

We aren't always going to get things right the first time round, perhaps not even the second or third time, but eventually we will learn. We will overcome that regret with a flooding sentiment of love and compassion, knowing that we acted the best way we knew how to at that time. That is the art of self-forgiveness.

Everything has a greater reason, even if in the moment you can't see it.