How I spend my days
I spend my time now-a-days doing one of a few things... Sometimes ostensibly at the same time...
Sleeping
Working
Reflecting on life
Watching Babylon 5
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Some of these things deserve to have something said about them; the most important ones in particular.
Sleeping - I certainly don't get enough sleep lately. Perhaps it is an attempt to claim every moment I can as my own before the birth of my son. Perhaps it's because I'm stubborn and lack common sense.
Watching Babylon 5 - I missed this series when it was airing originally. Mainly because I'm a Trekkie and had no interest in this wanna-be. Also partially because I had trouble wading through the deluge of *horrible acting* and cheap sets. However, I've gotten through the muck and am now enjoying the series. 'nuf said.
Working - Eh, I do what I gotta do...
Reflecting on life - There have been a few big things I've been thinking about lately. Partially about the "hermit" like way that I live my life... partially about the lack of social contact that we have as a household... Partially about Polyamory and our society/family... And I find myself being very self-critical lately... At the same time, I'm thinking a lot about life-lessons; things that I have learned and things that I want to pass on. Today's topic: regret...
People often talk about how they live their lives without regret. Wow, what a statement. I understand the ideal of not regretting your past, but I can't understand this. I do, however, see the statement as often being mis-represented... Or perhaps just not being implemented to it's fullest potential. "I don't have regrets" is not necessarily saying that one should live their life without regard for what has happened in the past... It doesn't mean that you need to distance yourself from everything so that you cannot be hurt... It certainly doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn from prior mistakes (and accomplishments). What this phrase has the potential to mean is something much deeper. It is not just a guide to how to look at your past, but how to make decisions about the future. I can imagine being presented with a choice, should I do x or y. If I do x, 10 years from now I can see the possibility of saying "I regret not having done y.:." If I choose y, I cannot see the possibility of saying 10 years from now, "I sure regret having done y."
In this situation, If I am trying to live a life without regrets, then I should also be making choices for the future that limit the possiblity for regrets. This outlook makes the decision clear: I may regret not having done y, so barring other factors that is the path I should take.
I don't know if this makes sense.
let me give a clearer example - the situation that has sparked my thinking about this. My brother is very close to making Eagle Scout, but doesn't want to finish the program. There would be a good amount of effort needed over the next couple months to close the deal, but it is still attainable if he chooses to do it. As I consider the advice to give him, I have started thinking about regrets down the road. I can envision him saying 10 years from now, "I really wish I had finished the scout program when I had the chance." Despite the work it would take, I cannot even imagine the thought, "I really wish I hadn't finished the program."
With that said, the advice should be clear - if you want to live a life without regrets, you should then aspire to make decisions that limit the possibility for regrets.
That is all...
Sleeping
Working
Reflecting on life
Watching Babylon 5
-----------------
Some of these things deserve to have something said about them; the most important ones in particular.
Sleeping - I certainly don't get enough sleep lately. Perhaps it is an attempt to claim every moment I can as my own before the birth of my son. Perhaps it's because I'm stubborn and lack common sense.
Watching Babylon 5 - I missed this series when it was airing originally. Mainly because I'm a Trekkie and had no interest in this wanna-be. Also partially because I had trouble wading through the deluge of *horrible acting* and cheap sets. However, I've gotten through the muck and am now enjoying the series. 'nuf said.
Working - Eh, I do what I gotta do...
Reflecting on life - There have been a few big things I've been thinking about lately. Partially about the "hermit" like way that I live my life... partially about the lack of social contact that we have as a household... Partially about Polyamory and our society/family... And I find myself being very self-critical lately... At the same time, I'm thinking a lot about life-lessons; things that I have learned and things that I want to pass on. Today's topic: regret...
People often talk about how they live their lives without regret. Wow, what a statement. I understand the ideal of not regretting your past, but I can't understand this. I do, however, see the statement as often being mis-represented... Or perhaps just not being implemented to it's fullest potential. "I don't have regrets" is not necessarily saying that one should live their life without regard for what has happened in the past... It doesn't mean that you need to distance yourself from everything so that you cannot be hurt... It certainly doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn from prior mistakes (and accomplishments). What this phrase has the potential to mean is something much deeper. It is not just a guide to how to look at your past, but how to make decisions about the future. I can imagine being presented with a choice, should I do x or y. If I do x, 10 years from now I can see the possibility of saying "I regret not having done y.:." If I choose y, I cannot see the possibility of saying 10 years from now, "I sure regret having done y."
In this situation, If I am trying to live a life without regrets, then I should also be making choices for the future that limit the possiblity for regrets. This outlook makes the decision clear: I may regret not having done y, so barring other factors that is the path I should take.
I don't know if this makes sense.
let me give a clearer example - the situation that has sparked my thinking about this. My brother is very close to making Eagle Scout, but doesn't want to finish the program. There would be a good amount of effort needed over the next couple months to close the deal, but it is still attainable if he chooses to do it. As I consider the advice to give him, I have started thinking about regrets down the road. I can envision him saying 10 years from now, "I really wish I had finished the scout program when I had the chance." Despite the work it would take, I cannot even imagine the thought, "I really wish I hadn't finished the program."
With that said, the advice should be clear - if you want to live a life without regrets, you should then aspire to make decisions that limit the possibility for regrets.
That is all...