Page 120 - Creeative Thinking

We have successfully completed yet another chapter in our expedition toward a more
contented, more satisfying lifestyle. We are nearing the end of the road and I am
pleased to announce that the speed bumps are getting smaller and the potholes have all
but disappeared. And what do you know, the road sign at the end of the road is nearly
in sight.

Before we reach our destination, though, there are just a few more stops along the
way. To ensure that we don’t get stuck on one of the speed bumps in our path, the next
issue we should address is REGRET. If you incorporate the tools and techniques you
have learned thus far, I am confident you will have what it takes to make it to the
finish line.

As Albert Einstein once said “There are only two ways to live your life; one as though
nothing is a miracle and the other, as though everything is.” I prefer to live as though
everything is a miracle. That way, there is no room for regret.

Much like worry, regret is a habit that is both destructive and almost utterly useless.
The one positive thing about having regrets is that they enable us to see our mistakes
and learn from them. If we fail to see the lesson we must learn from a certain
experience, we can sometimes find ourselves dwelling on the situation, thus becoming
consumed with thoughts of regret.

Again, like worrying, no good can possibly come from needlessly regretting a past
experience. Your time end energy would be much better spent thinking about ways to
embrace the future.

The person who is upset "owns" the problem. Stop apologizing and accepting
blame. Everyone has the right to have angry feelings, but you don't have to feel
guilty. Recognize that interpersonal conflicts can be healthy, leading to constructive
change and deeper understanding. Strive for emotional wellness with yourself and
your relationships.

Thoughts such as “I would have …, I could have …, I should have…” or “what if…”
accomplish nothing aside from creating negative energy. For this reason, we are now
going to work on eradicating any regret you may be harbouring toward a given
situation.

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