2008-07-16 - 11:44 a.m. Regret is an interesting emotion. What is it exactly? It seems to be a heady cocktail of sadness and guilt, or sadness and shame, and it seems to have something to do with the passage of time, so it billows out and takes up a lot of space. The idea of future regret has never played a big part in motivating me to either do or not do things, because my brain isn't wired that way. I figure that if I am slated to regret some action later, I can deal with it as it comes up. It's just another burst of anxious razzle-dazzle in the nervous system. And I'm not talking about transgressions, like killing, stealing, hogging the pole on the subway--I mean the classic things about which people say, "Someday you will look back and regret [that facial scarification, quitting that job, not quitting that job, etc]." Some things I don't regret: Not saving mementos: high school yearbooks, photo albums, cards and letters. Any of my relationships, romantic or otherwise Any of my breakups, romantic or otherwise Getting rid of my wedding dress (plus it's an interesting anecdote, which transforms regret...into comedy gold!) Not buying that boxed set--any of 'em. Not going to Summerstage for the past several years Renting an apartment vs. owning Etc etc--there are tons of these. The only things I regret--the losses that feel irreparable to me--are as follows: I started out at a really good, appropriate, and challenging college and, caught up in a stupid drama, I left, and finished at a crappy school that I hated. I have never truly gotten over this, and I would like to. I haven't traveled enough. I know I still can in the future, but I wish I had done it when I was young and impressionable. There was a third one but I forgot it! So that's good. Anyway, I realize this is a little more personal than we usually get here at IHoP, but if anyone wants to weigh in, I always love to hear what you have to say. Also: one of the best album titles of all time: Instant Party--Just Add Mel Torme thoughts? (15 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact