The following TED talk on regret sparked some interesting emotions in me. I had a flash of remembering writing a freshman college paper on regret. My hypothesis was that if I paid attention to EVERYTHING I did and said I would live a life free of regret.
Hummmm…
I got an “A” for the quality of writing and research on that paper. I also had a comment by my professor that annoyed me terribly. He wished me well and asked me if I would be willing to rewrite the paper in 20 years and we could have a cup of coffee and note if I lived up to what I had written.
Of course I could now write a major thesis on all my life regrets, as a wife, mother, professional woman, and human being with hair that would be gray if I let it.
I know this is not the season for regrets, however, it is a season for love and clearing of the old as we soon ring in the new.
So, as a gift to yourself and those you love, take the time to write a few of your regrets and then share, as the Rumi poem below suggests:
Go to that magical place beyond right and wrong and open your feelings with those who matter to you.
It makes a great holiday present.
Click here to watch Kathryn Schulz On Regret
Sylvia Lafair
Sylvia Lafair, PhD, is President of CEO – Creative Energy Options, Inc., a global consulting company focused on optimizing workplace relationships through her exclusive PatternAware™ Leadership Model. Dr. Lafair is the author of Don’t Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success published by Jossey-Bass. As an executive coach and leadership educator, she has more than 30 years of experience with all levels of management from leading corporate officers of global companies to executives of non-profits and owners of leading family-owned businesses. She is now offering GUTSY Women Weekends, giving women the opportunity to dialogue and clarify next steps.
Follow Me:
