Rid Yourself of Regret

Written By: Scott W. Holland

Regret is a heavy burden that can quietly erode our peace of mind and sense of self. But what if the path to healing, and ridding ourselves of regret, lies not in our outward actions, or working harder, but rather can be found in stillness and the quiet calm of nature and birds.  Sitting in nature, watching the birds, internalizing their independence and focus offers a powerful metaphor for being present and living fully in the moment.

At its core, regret is the mind’s resistance to accept what has already happened. It’s the ego’s refusal to let go of an outcome that didn’t unfold as hoped. Regret often stems from an attachment we have to a version of reality that was never meant to be. And while it’s natural to feel sorrow or disappointment, dwelling on it for too long can harm both our mental and physical health.  It can lead to depression, anxiety and a negative sense of self. Instead of dwelling on past regrets, learn from them, release them and move on.  The difficulty with this is that our ego, or conscious mind, is wired to repeat patterns of actions and reactions from our memory. But this is where nature and birds in particular can help.  They can be a powerful teacher and guiding force for us.  Watch a bird. It doesn’t dwell on the past or pine over old mistakes. It simply moves on, focused on the present and confident that their next action will be successful. We can learn from that. Sit quietly in nature and watch the birds. Let their stillness guide you and hear your soul speak to you. Reconnect with your passions, remember what it is that brings you joy. Not on a superficial or surface level, but deep within your soul.  Those joys and passions you’ve had your whole life have never left you, but only now are beginning to reconnect with them.  This reflection and reconnection isn’t about career ambitions or external validations, it’s about rediscovering who you are at your core. It’s from here where your true purpose reveals itself to you.  Once you begin to reconnect with your true purpose, the world begins to open up to you.  And you begin to realize that you are not your job title, you are not your mistakes, you are not your past. For true self-realization comes from knowing your life’s purpose and aligning your soul with your conscious mind and actions.  Don’t compare yourself to others, don’t wish you were somebody else. Listen to your soul, that inner voice, and trust in it.  For when we listen to our soul and start living in the present, we realize we are not too late, we are not too old, and we are not too far gone. We are exactly where we are supposed to be. So, like that little bird, forgive, forget and fly forward, without regret.