Regret

I am not a person who believes in dwelling in the past. Generally, regret has no space in my thoughts. That's why it was so easy to come up with a title for my blog. "It Is What It Is", words I live by everyday. A person can't  change the past, we can only change the future so live each moment to the fullest because life is only a short moment on this earth.

However, with the New Year beginning it is natural to reflect on the year's past. When I start reflecting I sometimes wonder about regret.

I love my life, and have a very full and happy one. Sometimes I think about my life, and how I left home at the age of 18 never to return to my hometown or the state in which I was born. When I think about this it makes me wonder if this is normal?  Have I missed out on many things?  This gets me to think about regret, Do I regret all these years living so far away? Do I regret not being there for family and friends because of the life I have chosen? I'm not sure I chose my life. I love everything about my life, but if you told me this is where I would be, I would never believe you in a million years. If you told me I would be a career military wife, who home schools her children, who has spent much of her adult life living overseas I wouldn't believe you for sure. Don't get me wrong, I pictured myself married to my sweet husband, but I always pictured a more "normal" life. A life that was closer to the normalcy I knew growing up in my small town with my family and friends.  My life always feels like we are venturing into a new frontier, always challenging and looking forward. Maybe that is what we are supposed to do in life, push ourselves past our comfort zone.

As I briefly think about regret, I know there is no space for it in my mind. As I stated earlier, we can't change the past. I am sad for lost friendships and a family I've hardly known, but who am I to question the life that has been chosen for me. All I have done to deserve the blessings in my life is accept the path in front of me. This reminds me of Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music. When both Maria and Captain Von Trapp confess their true feelings for each other Maria and the Captain sing the song "Something Good". I always relate to this song and question what I did to deserve so much good in my life.

I wish everyone a happy new year. Don't waste time on regret, follow your path where ever it leads you, it knows best. And love the friends and family you have from where ever you are.

I wanted to include a excerpt of this lovely song from the Sound of Music, however living overseas I'm unable to access certain copyrighted material. So...I've included the best version available. If you're in the states, go to YouTube and hear Julie sing the real song.