I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I
found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be
unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm
talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."
I got tickets to fly there on Wish I Had airlines. It was an
extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check. I
chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand
memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the
terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international
because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.
As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be
hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't
going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading
citizens would be there.
First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would
Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know ol'
Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed
and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too
many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.
Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and appearance. And It's
Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had
failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame
Me and I Couldn't Help It.
Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party
knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I
became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of
failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this
trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME! I
started to
truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be
depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY,
BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be happy,
joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I
left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I
sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no physical
way to undo them.
So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please
cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called,
Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent
residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts
are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy
baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. God
bless you in finding this great town. If you can find it -- it's in your
own heart -- please look me up. I live on I Can Do It street.
