Life without Regret

Can you imagine, getting to the end of your life, having done all the things you ever wanted to do?  

Most of us can't.  

The question then becomes, have I always included things I really want to do in my day to day life? Again no?  

There are some who can draw themselves out a very detailed life plan and spend their life fulfilling their plan.  Are these the people who have it all figured out?  

Again, no! 

Figuring it out, isn't what life is all about.  In the end, most people who think they had it all figured out, really, didn't.  So, how are you to know?  How do you know that when you get to the end of your life, you won't be full of regrets?  Purpose! 

I'll tell you about two people, both professionals, both driven, both seemingly having it all figured out.  I'm using their stories here without their permission, so, I will not name them. 

First, a woman, in her 30's who was a successful journalist and had worked her way up to the position of editor of a newspaper.  This had been her life-path since college and she was good at it!  Then, she married, had her first child and her life purpose was clear to her.  She quit her job, took up her passion for photography and became a specialty photographer.  This provided her with what she really wanted and needed in her life, to be there for her children.  The flexibility of her present work allows her to schedule around her family life. 

Second, a man, again in his 30's who was a successful police officer, worked some high profile cases and served with some specialty teams which were very successful in their endeavours.   An accident, which could have taken his life, left him unable to return to policing right away.  And in the process caused him to reevaluate his life and career.  During his convalescence, he wrote a book and months later, by the time he was able to go back to work, on a part time basis, his book was written and going through the final editing process.  Today, he does both, but, eventually who knows?  His policing work, although valuable and fulfilling on one level had on another level, left him with little time for family life.  His writing, although solitary and at times, excruciating, provides him with more family time and has brought him the singleness of purpose he didn't have with the other. 

Are either of these individuals going to regret their early careers?  Probably not, both feel they have contributed to their respective fields.  But, in the end if they had continued on those paths for their lifetime, it may not have produced the kind of peace with their life path they would have wanted. 

Be open to change, be flexible, take opportunities as they present themselves.  You will find a greater fulfillment in your life and who knows, you just may uncover your true life's calling. 

Live positively.  Do what matters!