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.
I'm talking about 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 weighted 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 “Ol' Wish” and his clan.
Of course, the “Opportunities” would be present, “Missed”
and “Lost”.
The biggest family 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.
Then “Shattered Dreams” would surely make an appearance.
And “It's-Their-Fault” would regale us with stories
(excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be
loudly applauded by “Don't-Blame-Me” and “I-Couldn't-Help-It”.
Well, to make a long story short, I went to this
depressing party knowing that 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 all of this trip and
subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME!
I can't change yesterday, but I do have the power to
make today a wonderful day. I started to truly realize that I did not have to be
there. 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
encouraging. Knowing this, I left the “City of Regret” immediately and left no
forwarding address.
Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past?
YES! But there is no physical way to undo them.
So, if you're planning a trip back to the “City of Regret”,
please cancel all your reservations now.
Instead, take a trip to a place called, “Starting-Again”.
I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent
residence there. My neighbors, the “I-Forgive-Myselfs” and the “New-Starts” are
so very helpful.
By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage,
because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.
God bless you in finding this great town. If you can find
it — it's in your own heart — please look me up.
I live on “I-CAN-DO-IT” street.
No comments:
Post a Comment
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS POST? EXPRESS YOURSELF...