The Path of Least Regret: The Benefits of Leaving the Past Behind

I don’t visit the past much anymore, but I used to live there in an old, worn down cottage on a little plot of bland. I had three roommates: Should’ve, Could’ve, and Would’ve.

Every day, we’d set out and follow the path of least resistance which always lead us back where we started.

Then we’d spend the rest of our day watching old reruns of Things Gone Wrong. One of our favorite episodes was the one where a younger version of me made some bad decisions.

“Don’t do it!” we’d shout at the screen, but the story never changed.

It Was Time to Make a Move

The past was a lousy place to live, overrun with sorrow and littered with regrets. So one day, thank goodness, I decided to move.

I didn’t even bother to pack my bags. I wanted to travel light.

I stumbled around a bit, but I finally found my way to the present, and I’ve never thought of going back.

This Town Never Changes

If you’re living in the past, you might consider moving too.

Trust me. Nothing ever changes there. The wrongs never get righted, the problems never get solved, and the hurtful words and actions seldom get retracted.

And most of the good stuff is now obsolete. The victories have been forgotten. The parties have disbanded.

You best bet is to get while the getting’s good.

Thinking About Moving to the Present? Would You Like to Look at One of Our Brochures?

The present, however, is quite different.

Don’t get me wrong. It has its problems. Every place does. But at least in the present, you have a say in things. It‘s nothing like the dictatorship that is the past.

You get to choose your attitude and mindset. You’re free to select your actions and move in just about any direction you desire.

And, best of all, you can actually have a positive impact on your own life and the lives of others. Try doing that in the past. I wish you luck.

Follow the Low Regret Road

In case you’re wondering how to get here, just follow the path of least regret. The road signs are everywhere.

If there’s something you’re doing or not doing that’s causing you to feel remorseful at the end of your day, take note of it and work to eliminate it.

When you do something that leaves you feeling powerful and satisfied, take note of that too and seek to do more of it.

When you get here, take a look around. You’ll see things you never noticed while living in the past, things like:

• the soft touch of a baby’s hand
• the way the moon paints a silver stripe across a body of water
• the rush of oxygen that fills your lungs when you take a long, deep breath.

There are lots of things like that here in the present.

Now, as I’ve said, there are problems here too, but unlike those of the past, they’re the kind you can actually address, especially with the help of the others who live here.

And here’s what’s most amazing. When you live in the present, you can help build a better future, and there’s no better present you could give someone than that.

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