2012-06-25

Forget Regret

Hello, I hope your week is off to a good start. This article is for all of us who have, at some point in time in our lives, thought back to some choices we made along the way and thought, "if only I had decided not to do this, instead I chose to do that, my circumstances today would be different and/or possibly better. In essence what we are really doing when we think this way, is thinking falsely, and false thinking never leads to any good, at least it has not in my personal experiences. So the next time you begin to think in this way, just forget it, forget regret.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

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The Faulty Premise Of Regret

Regret is premised on the notion that we have the ability to know with certainty that had we only chosen a different path from the one we actually did our life wouldn't have merely turned out differently, but better. We idealize the road not taken, imagining only the good things that would have resulted from out taking it, conveniently leaving out the bad that accompanies almost every choice, if not the bad that occurs simply as a result of remaining alive while time passes. Daniel Gilbert, in his oft-quoted book Stumbling on Happiness, provides good evidence that not only do our memories inaccurately rewrite experiences into extremes depending on our retrospective judgment of them ("bad" ones becoming wholly bad and "good" ones wholly good), but also that our ability to forecast how much we'll enjoy an experience is quite dismal. Though I disagree that it's equally poor in all people as he argues—I've observed that, as with any skill, some are better at it than others—it remains hard to imagine what can't be known: the full and far-reaching consequences of any choice not made.

And yet so many of us think we can do just that. In fact, many of us suffer greatly based on our belief that if we'd only zigged instead of zagged at a crucial moment in our past, our present would be so much better. But even if today you find yourself experiencing horrible suffering as a result of a decision you once made, any confidence you feel that some other choice would have brought you to a present filled with far less is wholly unjustified. Had you made that other choice, how could you really know that, as a result of several subsequent choices and events, you wouldn't be suffering even more? You may pine for the life you think you've left unlived, but that life not only never existed, it almost certainly wouldn't have existed the way you imagine it. Think about your life today: does it exist now as you once predicted it would?

I'm not arguing that the choices we make don't matter—just that they don't matter quite as much as we think. How happy we are isn't so much a function of how our lives exist on the outside as it is how we approach them on the inside. Over the (hopefully) long span of our lives, the ups and downs of external circumstances tend to regress toward a mean (some lives clearly enjoy a higher level of happiness than others, no doubt—the millionaire's generally being higher than, say, the slave's—but shifting that set point over time is a topic for another post). Rather than allow ourselves to wallow in suffering over what might have been, we should strive to remind ourselves the grass only ever seems greener, and that there's always much to enjoy (and over which to suffer) in any and every circumstance. Our focus shouldn't be on what might have been because in general and over time it's unlikely to have been any better or worse than what is. Instead, our focus should be on making what we have now the best it can be. In short, regret is a poison that prevents you from enjoying the choices you did make. Spit it out before it's too late.

8 comments:

  1. Jan, I think this is so truthful. How many times in the past week, have I questioned my own ability to "share light" and "guidance", when I am so confused and guilt ridden myself? I do believe although we might not like it now, we are way above the bar on knowledge and enlightenment, and now it is time to take actions that improve our mindset. Whatever that might be, we have to strive towards our healthy outlook and stop looking back. All the advice we ever share, is mostly for ourselves anyway! Love ya!

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    1. You just have such a sweet heart Kim that you, like me, want to keep ourselves in that constant mindset of light and guidance. But life keeps challenging us and when we feel confused or discouraged by the challenges it throws us off our chosen path and we don't like it!! But hey at least we keep trying to stay in the light and that alone say's something about our spirit and strength. Your so right when you say that by sharing this advice we are giving it mostly to ourselves, deep down we are giving out what we need to be given!!
      Love ya too
      xoxo

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  2. I must be pretty lucky (or smart, he he) as I can't recall any moment that I would've liked to change. Or maybe I'm just getting old and forgetful :)

    This is an excellent advice!I keep telling my husband the same, too often, I believe. Some people simply love to torture themselves :)

    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Petro, I'm glad that you don't have to live with this type of thinking, it is a lost cause in the long run!! I'm sure your husband will take your advice someday :)
      xoxo

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  3. Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda is a road you just don't want to travel...

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    1. That is so true Grace and that is something I'm learning,
      Thanks :)

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  4. Life is full of choices and then there are the consequences to deal with. Regret doesn't help one bit, but it's hard not to regret some of our choices. A waste of time, but a great learning tool.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  5. Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?

    I have a blog based upon on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information.

    I know my subscribers would value your work. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
    My web page :: James

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