I would make sure that I didn't wreck my relationship with my first love and then the horrible events that followed would never happen (suicide attempt, sleeping pill addiction, not going to college, etc.)
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Aren't millions of dudes taking those blue pills every day???I would have taken the blue pill, instead of the red pill.
Knowing what you know now...?
I have asked this question often sitting around with friends, and this was before I read this book. Say you could go back... knowing how your life has turned out... are there changes you would make? Different paths you would take knowing that with the "Butterfly Effect," a small change could make dramatic differences in the long run. Not always for the better.
I always say, for better or worse, I would avoid the blind date that led to meeting my first wife and the three years of heartache and pain that followed. There were cars I wish I hadn't bought, and some I should have never sold. Women I shouldn't have dated... but those actions wouldn't be worth the risk of a change...
So... if you could go back... would you?
Honestly... I don't think I would... even though I'm broken and might be able to change it. The new path could be a lot shorter and much more painful.
...I would go back because it would take me another lifetime to try to rectify the plethora of screw ups I've perpetrated...
There's an old saying that 'he who regrets nothing learns from everything'...this bugs me. I think regret serves a purpose; it is a type of grieving that hopefully leads to acceptance and avoidance of cyclic mistakes. So, yes, I'm one who'd go back in time. This isn't to say that I wouldn't commit a whole new set of mistakes (and, therefore, new regrets) but it would satisfy that human longing for atonement, a correcting of wrongs, a settling of scores.
Plus, it would be my duty to rid the world of M.C. Hammer parachute pants.
To my mind, regret and dread are rooted in fear, simply two sides of a coin. Regret is the "fear" of the past and dread is the fear of the future. Yes, regret is useless and a waste of time and energy but, in regards to the futile contemplation of changing one's past, it can be the perfect motivator...maybe the only motivator. Therefore, paradoxically, it serves some function or purpose.I think regret is a useless emotion, honestly. It serves no purpose other than to make a person feel worse--and if one feels regret then the lesson has been learned (whatever it was). I used to always tell my students whom I caught plagiarizing, "It's not our mistakes that define us but how we get ourselves back up and brush ourselves up to learn from them." I never wanted to kill a student's dream and I always made it clear that I had screwed up WAY more than anyone.
To my mind, regret and dread are rooted in fear, simply two sides of a coin. Regret is the "fear" of the past and dread is the fear of the future. Yes, regret is useless and a waste of time and energy but, in regards to the futile contemplation of changing one's past, it can be the perfect motivator...maybe the only motivator. Therefore, paradoxically, it serves some function or purpose.
Oh that guitar. I am a guitarist. I dream of a Gibson Les Paul Custom 50th Anniversary Special Edition. I'd get that back too!I like what Robert Gray wrote. He has put it very well, how I feel about the bigger picture. But I would really like to go back to when I "broke up" with a roommate and left the guitar we'd jointly bought -- with a loan from my credit union. I would take that Gibson Les Paul Custom 50th Anniversary Special Edition. Damn skippy I would.
Thanks for the praise of post. The first time I have ever said those thoughts out loud.
I assume I am still in the depression stage of grief somewhat. Can't find many positives. Haven't reached acceptance quite yet I guess.
My family has always been farmers by trade. I myself went off to college and returned because...well not sure exactly why, either I didn't want to have a boss or I liked 14 hour workdays. Anyway spent almost 47 years of those work days with my father.
Left a big hole as I know losing a parent has for people since time began. Only problem is that somewhere in those 47 years he somehow became my best friend too. So I guess I feel like I lost twice as much in one afternoon.
Anyway I know it is not a history changing wish, like killing baby Hitler or telling Hindenburg passengers to take the bus , but those words are the ones I wish I would have said.
Sorry I turned you guys' forum into a shrink's couch.
As I am sure everyone you know has told you I am sorry for your loss. I wish I could tell you, as I am sure everyone that knows you has, that time will make things better or "heals all wounds". I wish I could, but this December 4th it will be 3 years since the sudden passing of my father.My heart goes out to you. I lost my mother on New Year's Day this year. I think of her every single day. (((((hugs))))).
As I am sure everyone you know has told you I am sorry for your loss. I wish I could tell you, as I am sure everyone that knows you has, that time will make things better or "heals all wounds". I wish I could, but this December 4th it will be 3 years since the sudden passing of my father.
I too think of him every day. Saw his truck out of the corner of my eye last week where I parked it 3 years ago and wondered why he stopped there. Then remembered.
The loss does become less of a sharp pain and more like a tooth that bothers you each time you drink something cold. I wish you well in your process of dealing with loss.
Just remember that their bodies may go but our parents always live on through their children and perhaps their children's children.
If you ever need to just vent message me. I spew a lot of nonsense sometimes but am told I listen well.
Oh that guitar. I am a guitarist. I dream of a Gibson Les Paul Custom 50th Anniversary Special Edition. I'd get that back too!
Thanks. Yeah, it was special.
I just want to say that my heart goes out to all who have lost parents. It will be 8 years on Nov.2 that my Mom died suddenly. It's a sucky club to be a member of.
Thanks. Yeah, it was special.
I just want to say that my heart goes out to all who have lost parents. It will be 8 years on Nov.2 that my Mom died suddenly. It's a sucky club to be a member of.
The loss does become less of a sharp pain and more like a tooth that bothers you each time you drink something cold. I wish you well in your process of dealing with loss.