Without Regrets

Day 20: Giving Thanks for Second Chances ♥

A Prophet’s Prayer

Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, and served as the 15th president and prophet during the 177-year history of the Church.

I was touched by this insightful anecdote told by his son:

“When I was a boy, my father (Gordon B. Hinckley) often would use an interesting phrase when he was offering the family prayer. He would say,

“Heavenly Father, please bless us that we may live without regret.”

– Richard B. Hinckley, Live Without Regret, 2007

Each year a lot of people make New Year’s Resolutions aimed at their health. Some of these might be “get fit,”  “eat healthier,” “quit smoking,” “run a race,” “lower my blood pressure,” or the ever-popular “lose weight.” I admit, I’ve planned out plenty of personal health initiatives every New Year’s Eve over my past five decades. But, most recently my annual “clarion call for change” didn’t happen for the New Year. It came with my birthday.

On December 28, 2016 I was launched into the Big 5-0 (which was quite terrifying to me). “How in the heck did I get this old so fast?!”

Seriously. There’s just no words.

When Mr. Mo turned 50, he breezed right through. I had the crises for him.

“How in the heck can I be married to a 50 year old man?!” [Sorry honey]

Anyway, here I am. Yesterday I was 21 years old with my whole life of possibilities ahead of me. Today I’m a late middle aged woman with grown children, working in a career path I never wanted, and life speeding by. Regrets.

When I turned 35 I vowed I was going to be the “most fit and fabulous 40-something ever”. I had 5 whole years to become the next top model.

That didn’t materialize. Regrets.

When I was 40 I vowed I would “write my book” by the time I turned 50.

Sadly, there’s no book. 😦 Regrets.

But, there’s good news. Life is all about second and third and fourth chances. It isn’t over ’til it’s over. There’s no need to live forever with a dark cloud of Regrets. My 50th Year has turned out to be pretty darn fabulous. I settled into our new house and we have created a lovely home. Both of my adult children graduate from college this year and launch into careers. One has flown the nest – which was happy-sad, but mostly happy because she is so happy. Seeing how independent, responsible and capable she is makes me feel so pleased and proud! ♥

I didn’t get thin. But, I did run a lot of fun races this year with Mr. Mo. and I completed my first full 26.2 mile “comeback” Marathon. No Regrets!

I also completed my first ever Sprint Triathlon! It was the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted so far. It was raining and freezing cold, and I came in dead last. But, I finished!! No Regrets!

I didn’t write my book, but I have written a lot of blog posts! No Regrets!

Life is all about second and third and fourth chances. It isn’t over ’til it’s over. There’s no need to live forever with a dark cloud of Regret hanging over us..

I loved discovering this little inspiring video. Don’t miss!

The Five Biggest Regrets

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once gave a General Conference talk all about 
Regrets and Resolutions. He told a story about a nurse who cares for the terminally ill that documented responses to a simple question she posed to her patients as they prepared to depart this life:

“Do you have any regrets?” she would ask.

Being so close to that final day of mortality often gives clarity to thought and provides insight and perspective. So when these people were asked about their regrets, they opened their hearts. They reflected about what they would change if only they could turn back the clock. Here were the top five she heard over and over.

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Susie Steiner, Top Five Regrets of the Dying, Guardian, Feb. 1, 2012.

Moving Forward

Just as you saw in the video above, our regrets can be erased! A fresh, blank slate can be created, ready for us to write the new story of our lives as we move forward, so that the plans we make today will prevent the regrets of tomorrow.

“It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven.

We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and remove the burden of our sins. His Atonement allows us to leave the past behind and move forward with clean hands, a pure heart, and a determination to do better and especially to become better.”

– Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ, there will always be more erasers than errors. He provides limitless possibilities for us to be renewed, remade, refreshed and reborn. Every day of our lives. He makes it possible for us to begin again, and live without regrets! – MoSop