What's Cooking in the World: Regret Me Not

“Ob-la-di, ob-la-da life goes on”, sing the Beatles about Molly and meeting her man. But life really isn’t as simple as meeting the love of your life in a market place and marrying him soon after. If it were me it would be more like spotting the love of my life but getting so distracted that I trip over a barrel of apples and dive into the fish stall, while he slowly walks past laughing at my sleek, sleek moves.

I have a collection of regrets that sit shrouded on my shelf. They collect dust like trinkets from my past, ones that want to be thrown out but can’t because the memories are way too strong.

Stephanie Rice has a few twitter regrets too, popping up in the news for her remarks to the South African football team after a loss to the Wallabies. Her tear sodden apology just brought home to me the horrendous feeling of regret, especially when it’s illuminated for the whole country to shake their heads at.

Twitter seems like such an innocent idea, people sharing their thoughts for the entire world, but that’s just it, it’s people and people are far too complicated to make any simple action easy.

Here’s a clip that brought delight to my eyes, it’s an example of regret that will one day be the best story told at a party.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DmtmmFEVo‏

Usually regret fades with time, and yes there may be scars from the hurt caused but generally life goes on living. Someone else goes on facebook and makes a comment to shudder at and everyone bemoans them, forgetting all of their own mistakes.

The thing to remember is we have all been in situations that make us want to projectile vomit because we are so ashamed. Therefore, we should be there for others to help clean up the chunks. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with their actions but a friendly presence when times get tough can often break the terrible chain of regret. It’s not the only remedy but it certainly eases the pain.