The Choices We Make

By Soulful-Writer
Copyright 2002 - 2005

Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is a wasted life.” I used to think that having regrets was a sign of weakness or failure. However, as time goes by and I come closer to my golden years, invited or not, memories pop in my mind forcing me to face the choices I have made at certain points in my life. Regrets? Yes, I have a few; especially when my choices have affected to some degree other people’s life.

For, whether I like it or not, my choices in life have had some effect on the quality of life and experiences of those who have crossed my way or, shared my journey at some point. I have not always been sensitive, compassionate or, wise enough to make a positive difference in some of my companions’ life. That, I regret. For memories of who we are and the role we played when interacting with others are all we truly leave behind for them to cherish or despise when we are gone. Material legacies are ephemeral. Memories and the mark we leave behind live on in the heart and mind of those we came to know.

History tends to repeat itself, perhaps not with the same players but in essence. Like history, regrets help me measure where I am at this point in my life, what lessons I have learned in this voyage; how much I have changed or remained the same. My regrets serve as reference of the mistakes I made in the past so I may have the insight to mend them - if possible – in the present or, to avoid making them as I encounter similar situations with different people in the remainder of my life.