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I must be in reflective, philosophical mode lately and like many other forum users I am in the 'autumn of my years'; a time for contemplation and mind-cleansing. So lately I have been thinking a little about the 'what-ifs' in my life passage and the now-surfacing little tinges of regret about things I missed out on and that now seem important to me.
I finished school here in Oz back in the early 1960s having not completed high school; this was not so unusual here back then. I lived in an industrial area (steel mills and coal mines) and the level reached in education reflected this. Most boys went into the mines, the steel mills, trade apprenticships, or, like me into office work. (I didn't stay in that field too long and my life moved in other directions). The girls went into clothing mills, office work and young marriages. In my high school I can think of perhaps half a dozen students in my year who graduated and went on to university.
Now I find that I regret not having completed high school, graduated and went on to study in college. Later in life I found writing and had a short-lived but personally satisfying stint in writing features for a number of Australian and US magazines and newspapers. I also wrote an incredible biography (note: not an autobiography) which was almost published.
So fellow autumn-lifers, what are your regrets?
Last edited by Spudee; 10-07-2010 at 05:58 PM..
Reason: spelling
I wish I had paid more visits to my parents before my dad died. I wish I had been nicer to my husband. I took him for granted, never expecting him to drop dead in his forties of a sudden heart attack.
I must be in reflective, philosophical mode lately and like many other forum users I am in the 'autumn of my years'; a time for contemplation and mind-cleansing. So lately I have been thinking a little about the 'what-ifs' in my life passage and the now-surfacing little tinges of regret about things I missed out on and that now seem important to me.
I finished school here in Oz back in the early 1960s having not completed high school; this was not so unusual here back then. I lived in an industrial area (steel mills and coal mines) and the level reached in education reflected this. Most boys went into the mines, the steel mills, trade apprenticships, or, like me into office work. (I didn't stay in that field too long and my life moved in other directions). The girls went into clothing mills, office work and young marriages. In my high school I can think of perhaps half a dozen students in my year who graduated and went on to university.
Now I find that I regret not having completed high school, graduated and went on to study in college. Later in life I found writing and had a short-lived but personally satisfying stint in writing features for a number of Australian and US magazines and newspapers. I also wrote an incredible biography (note: not an autobiography) which was almost published.
So fellow autumn-lifers, what are your regrets?
Having gone to college and graduate school instead of living on my original talents and wits. I'm split about the value of college. I got my graduate degree late in life, in my 40s, so I missed what an advanced degree can do for you at a much younger age.
I've gotten further and further away from my true talents, which I could have made a decent living on just as well with a lot happier involvement in life (than what I went into).
Other regrets: Not believing enough in myself and the wonderful talents I had when young. And, not waiting till older to be married....
Ah, yes, regrets. Have many but try not to dwell on them--at least not too often. Should have finished that last year of college--had a tuition waiver. Should have been there when my mother passed instead of on top of the Alps. Should have held on *tightly* to my retirement funds and not have moved to NM and built a huge home.
I must be in reflective, philosophical mode lately and like many other forum users I am in the 'autumn of my years'; a time for contemplation and mind-cleansing. So lately I have been thinking a little about the 'what-ifs' in my life passage and the now-surfacing little tinges of regret about things I missed out on and that now seem important to me.
Look at it like this ---at least you do remember. I think of something I've had on my keyring for maybe 20 years: Of all the things that I have lost I miss my mind the most.
I think I've been lucky that I did some things that I had initially resisted but in thinking back about it, turned out quite fortunate for me in the long run. I always seemed to land on my feet no matter what. Pure luck. The other thing I reflect on is had I waited for others, in my life, to do the things that I wanted to do, I would not have had at least half of my experiences. I'm not a fan of compromise. If I wanted to do something/see something and it wasn't the cup of tea of friends, relatives, husband, etc., I just did it myself rather than miss out on it. I know so many people who miss out on things they want to do/see because they won't do those things alone.
I only replay my shortcomings for myself in an effort to pass some little wisdom I have on to my children and grandchildren. Although I have been more successful financially than anyone else in the family I do recognize where I probably would have done better in many areas of life with a different perspective.
I try to stress behavior that recognizes the importance of interaction and sensitivity with other people as being as important as individual accomplishments. Along with initiative and commitment to excellence in any endeavor taken on and you have a formula for success.
Simple guidelines I did not clearly see early in life.
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