Living without Regrets - Decisions II

It's that time of the week again my dear friends. I hope you had a productive last week and are ensuring that this week counts towards your purpose.

I'm picking up my thoughts this week from a point I started on last week i.e. After you've made a decision. At various times I get asked the question - do you regret this or that? My response is quite standard - No, I'm living my best life now!

Why do I say so? I don't believe in living with regret. I learn from the past - yes and do my very best to ensure I take right decisions for the future. However, when I'm living the reality of my present, I make the very best of it. Sometimes it's easier to make the best of a situation because it is a good situation! At other times, you may almost need to wind yourself up to see the silver lining in the dark cloud, but look for it you simply MUST.

What, my friends is the point of looking back and asking what would it have been like if I had gone left instead of right? Lived in Abuja instead of Lagos? Studied Medicine instead of Engineering? Would I have been happier married to Mr. or Miss. X and not Mr./Mrs. Present husband/wife? Had 2 children instead of 4?  Or for that matter, remained single instead of marrying? Where you can't turn back the clock, you need to figure out a way to make the present work.

I mentioned in Part 1 that God makes all things work together for our good. That is the first indicator to me that God doesn't expect us to live in regrets and "I wish". You can always find something good in ANY situation if you choose to look hard enough. Of course remember we are talking about your life. Where other parties are involved it's not only up to you but you've got to satisfy your conscience and do all you can to make the present work out. If others don't put in the same effort you can't be entirely blamed for the outcome. 

Making a not so palatable situation work requires effort no doubt but we have help. We have someone we can always run to, to guide us in the midst of the doubts. Determination, courage, consistency in action, all these are tools we need. Don't let fear and self doubt hold you back. Don't let the devil condemn and tell you you didn't get it right before so you're done for. Mama Joyce Meyer said " Courage is fear that has said its prayers and thereafter decides to move forward".

We've got to rise up and get back on our feet and walk again. Choose to enjoy your present. Choose to live your best life now. CHOOSE! The power is in your hands and your head and your heart. You've got to align all 3. Convince yourself anyway you need to, that the present is the best you can have now and enjoy it. 

See obstacles as opportunities. There may be times when obstacles are a pointer to the fact that this isn't the right way, but you've got to explore the options first before you come to that conclusion unless there is some compelling fact that makes it clear there's no way in that direction. Don't give up too easily.

It is important however to know when it's time to exit a particular decision. When you've given your all and it doesn't work out, cut your losses and exit the stage, but still without regrets. Be glad for the time you had on that decision but move on and forward to the next stage. This could be as tough as closing a business after several years of nurturing or as simple as selling a stock that's totally non-performing. This implies that you must have regular times to review your decisions and evaluate the rest of the plan.

For the future, work on improving, going from good to great, better to best. Notice I didn't say bad to good, it's about your mindset. Make each day count, you're not going to be able to redo it. Live every moment as though it might be the last and don't postpone till tomorrow what you can accomplish today. Take small steps if need be, but take steps. 

I don't drink alcohol, but I agree with Mr. Johnnie Walker - you've got to keep walking - forward. Don't look back my friends, other than to have a review, take the lessons learnt and quickly move on.

It's a great week already! Enjoy it. I look forward to catching up with you again next week. I mentioned a lions den experience in my very first post. We'll talk about that next week.

Till then, Blessings on you and yours.