Regret City

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. This is 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
loaded 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 old "Wish" and his clan. Of
course, the "Opportunities" family; "Missed and Lost," would
be present. The biggest family there 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. Of course, "Shattered
Dreams" would surely make and appearance. "It's Their Fault"
family would regale us with stories (excuses) about how
things had failed in their life. Each story would be loudly
applauded by the "Don't Blame Me" and "I Couldn't Help It"
committee.

To make a long story short, I went to this depressing party,
knowing full well 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 this trip and subsequent "pity
parties" COULD be cancelled by ME!

I started to realize that I did not have to be there. And 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 being encouraging.

Knowing this, I left Regret City immediately, and didn't
leave a forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I've
made in the past? YES! But there is no way to undo them.

So, if you're planning a trip back to Regret City, please
cancel all those reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a
nice place called: "Starting Again." I like it so much that
I made it my permanent residence. My neighbors, the "Been
Forgiven" and the "We're Saved" are so very helpful. By the
way, you don't have to carry around the heavy baggage
anymore either. That load is lifted from your shoulders upon
arrival. But don't take my word for it, find out for
yourself.

-Author Unknown