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Regrets are a part of life; it's how we cope
By Jay Corn
Published:
Monday, April 26, 2004
Humans, by nature, are creatures of regret. How often do we look back at things we've done and wish we'd done them differently?
The answer is for me, and for many others I'm sure, there are always things I find myself kicking myself for. Whether it's fighting with my mom, an insensitive comment or embarrassing myself in front of a girl, I always seem to let my heart and gut guide my actions rather than my brain.
While going with my instinct has often proved fun and spontaneous, it all too often gets me in trouble. People rarely forget things you say and do, and for better or worse, people use their interactions with others as a way to constantly revise their perceptions and feelings toward a given individual.
We've all wanted to go back in time at some point, but instead we're forced to live with our words and deeds. Apologies sometimes work, but the best thing to do if you make a fool of yourself is to recover, and work extra hard to bring the real you to the forefront. People know if you're being genuine, and that's what often ends up saving me in the end.
I think that over time I've learned to think things through and plan my actions and words in a way that helps to save me from uneasiness and awkwardness down the road, but that's a lesson I think a lot of others need to learn.
I'm a listener and a people watcher. Some of the things I see people do and some of the things I hear them say boggle my mind. Sometimes I wonder if they even realize the ridiculousness of their actions and comments. Alcohol is definitely a major culprit, but it goes deeper than that.
The point is that by putting a little more thought and consideration into our everyday interactions, will our collective level of regret recede? Maybe.
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