Living in Regret

Nathan Hale, who was an American soldier; turned spy, during the American Revolution, was born in Connecticut in 1755. He died by hanging on September 22, 1776 at the age of 21. Just before hanging Hale said “I only regret that I have but one life to give my country.”

This famous quote of the American spy, shows that while you may believe that you have no regrets, you honestly do have some deep true regrets, and while you have them, for everyone does, it is good to keep them in the back of your mind. Everyone has at least one regret, one thing that they wish they could change, even if it is something that is completely out of their ability to change. It is good to think about your regrets, as to understand your feelings, but what is not good is to obsess, complain about, and even to over think your regrets. This can lead to many bad effects, and a dangerous obsession with trying to change things that you cannot.

The effects of living in regret, or living with a goal to change things that you cannot, are very crippling. Helplessness is one of these effects. When you dwell on what you did instead of what you could have done, you will become helpless. You will be helpless because no matter how big the decision was it is far to late to change your mind. When you are helpless like this, it will be very hard to escape the trap you have set for yourself. Like digging your own grave, full of worry and misery. Your thoughts will haunt you and happiness will elude you. Do not obsess over your regrets, for they can’t be changed, or you will dig your own grave.

Stress is another horrible effect of regret. If you have too many regrets, which you cannot forget, then you will become very stressed. This stress can lead to unusual behavior or feelings, and create tension, which can turn to anger at others. This anger can be easily unleashed on other people and will cause a loss of respect for you. Excess stress is never a good thing to have, so consider your regrets, and do not dwell on them, for if you do, then you will have this excess stress in your life.

The last, but worst negative effect, of regret is depression. If you live you life wishing that you could change something and trying to find a way, even though it is impossible, you are asking for trouble for the rest of your life. These hardships can cause a state of depression and mental anguish. This is not a good thing. Depression can lead to even more regrets, and more regrets can lead to even more bad decisions. This can crush your spirit, and strip you of your will to live. Be careful when you think about your regrets, do not try to fix your mistakes, just learn from them and move on.

The effects of regret are many, and there are a few good effects, such as experience, and contentment. Everyone will make choices in their lifetime, and therefore everyone will make mistakes, and have regrets. It is because of these regrets that we learn to avoid similar situations. It is a good thing to regret, but not to overreact to your regrets. Sulking for the rest of your life because you made a stupid decision is selfish and pointless. It is good to think about what you regret, but you must be careful, for it is not good to live in regret.