- I have scarcely any regrets regarding the things I did or at least attempted in my lifetime–including the myriad ill-advised misadventures and fiascoes, the questionable items I sometimes purchased, the places I went–admittedly at times dubiously inspired and insipid and ordinary, the sundry people I met along life’s serpentine pathway–admittedly all not of sterling character……the many times I failed at ANYTHING I have valorously attempted. What I do regret, however, are the adventures and life experiences I did NOT pursue, the coveted items I did NOT purchase for financial reasons or otherwise, the potentially charming places I did NOT go despite chances to do so, the people I did NOT have the privilege of meeting in spite of multiple opportunities to connect with them. In short, I…..I do not regret any of the events festooning my life or the direction I have chosen to take it, and my biggest regret at this well-past-halfway point of time is that I did not seek to expand upon my desires and did not vigorously pursue other life opportunities in whatever venue they may have manifested. Been less cautious, in other words, and more open to risk-taking and adventure. Attacked life, rather than constantly defended myself against it like it was some sort of ravenous predator. Embraced life at ALL times, instead of pushing it away when it might have felt constricting or slightly dangerous. LIVED life to its utmost, rather than to have obsequiously allowed it to unfold in front of me as though I was a disinterested bystander. Everyone pays homage to “living in the moment” and living life to its absolute fullest, but how many of us actually do that? Only a tiny percentage, if I were to wager a Las Vegas caliber bet. So your money runs out prematurely? At least you spent it joyously and on unforgettable experiences that can never be stripped away from you. So that new “friend” of yours turned out to be a despicable person and someone who more closely resembles an enemy than a true confidant? At least you gave the person a chance, you learned from the experience, and they left no indelible harmful mark on either your body or your soul. The time you wasted fecklessly pursuing that disappointing vacation, vocation, or new avocation that in the end turned out to be something you didn’t really like? It was inarguably better spent in that fashion than in just lounging around on your living room sofa watching old television reruns while chowing down on Pringle’s potato chips. Life is meant to be LIVED, in other words, not merely endured, and the richness of your life can best be measured by the number of times you chose action over inaction, aggressiveness over passivity, adventure over the status quo, and intrepidly advancing forward over reflexively retreating like a fear-stricken coward. We are perpetually lectured by every clergyman and self-help guru and social scientist and so-called “expert” that life is a gift–And who among us can argue otherwise against such obvious, elementary “advice”?—yet referencing now your own personal experiences, aren’t the best gifts those we take out of their boxes right away and use extensively, as opposed to those we tuck away on a high shelf in the bedroom closet for safekeeping and thereafter use infrequently, if at all? Life definitely IS a gift, yes, but only if we choose to use it. Because if we don’t–If we choose to regard life as an exceptionally fragile item that must be sheltered and guarded and protected at all times and at all costs–then we are discarding the very principle that makes sentience and being human so utterly special in the first place. Akin to an old Maytag clothes washer that seems to run on and on and on forever, life is an entity that should be used long and hard and extensively. Babying life, pampering life, and conserving life in order to theoretically preserve it and extend its warranty…..those are “actions” that do not lead to a happy, satisfying long-term outcome. Life is best when used rigorously and to its fullest extent, and you don’t accomplish this objective by habitually holding back good-sized chunks of it in the name of caution and frugality.
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Fred's Soapbox 