I will regret – nothing!

Tossing and turning, in and out of what can be loosely considered as a light sleep, I glance at my phone, my email…I put in down, roll over…pull the covers off, put them back on…pick up my iPad. And the thought drifts into my mind, “I will regret this!”

Why am I conditioned to think negatively and my go-to thought is to somehow blame and chastise myself?  May be blame is only a partial definition for regret, but it’s the part I identify with. 

So, what will I regret?  Not being able to sleep?  Yes! I would certainly choose to have several hours of deep, rejuvenative rest. But, it doesn’t seem that it’s going to happen. So, should I really get frustrated with myself over it….I’ve decided that would be just silly!

I believe that I waste far too much emotion being upset over things that I didn’t cause and blaming myself certainly doesn’t help!  Feeling regret is an equally wasted use of negative, cognitive engagement. 

Instead of thinking how I wished something had been different, it might be far more productive to consider what I could do next time, give myself or the situation love, and if possible, find some humor. Next time I can’t sleep, I could … (Heck, I don’t know. Sometimes nothing helps.) I love that I have so much going on in my head that is keeping me awake!  Maybe I could start shutting it down earlier?  Think of all the equally great minds who are awake at 4 am, figuring how they will rearrange the day to make use of all the new found time at hand!  Sleep?  Who needs it?  …usually me. But I’m not going to regret not being able to!
I believe this idea is equally with …. everything! I ate too much. I spent too much. I didn’t work out long enough. I wish I’d had more time to read, to write, to love ….. Oh my God! It needs to stop! – Regret nothing! Do something. Anything! Laugh. Write. Sleep. Turn in circles. Get the project done. Don’t. But for heaven’s sake, DO…Don’t regret!