3 Points to Ponder
- Every day, opportunities come across our lives. When looking back at those decisions, there will be two responses from you, “I wish I had,” or “I’m glad I did.” Right now, what camp do you live in when thinking about your life?
- We are always one decision away from a potential legacy moment, for better or worse. What helps you make the right choice? What is your process when prompted by a still, small voice to take positive action or reject negative action?
- Regret sucks life from the present, as it is nearly impossible to live with joy in the now when carrying heavy burdens of regret. Even when you’ve done something wrong, there is a path toward reconciliation, at a minimum with yourself. What is one hard thing you need to move from an “I wish I had” to “I’m glad I did”?
2 Quotes to Share
“Spend time with those you love. One of these days you will say either, ‘I wish I had,’ or ‘I’m glad I did.’” – Zig Ziglar
“I’m glad that I lost, I’m glad that I failed, I’m glad that I felt that way and decided to do something about it… I never wanted to feel that way again and it drove me.” -Joe Manganiello
1 Story of Impact
About two weeks ago, one of my good friends, Mike, sent me a text with a link to a podcast and asked, “Did you hear this?” I had not listened to it, even though it was from another good friend John. It took me about eight days, but sitting on my lawn mower, I was finally able to listen, and the podcast was incredible. Nudged by a still, small voice, I sent a quick text to my friend, John, encouraging and reminding him he is a light in the darkness. Now, John is busy, as he does public speaking events across the country and there are times when it is months before I hear back from him. But on this one, I immediately got a response back and it said, “I’m feeling a little depleted today… rare feeling… but it is what it is… thank you for thinking of me, lifting me up, and filling my tank.” We all have moments in our lives when we have a choice from a still, small voice. It is in that moment, we will look back and say, “I wish I had,” or “I’m glad I did.” Think about that for a second and reread that last sentence. What do you want to say to your future self? My friend Mike could have listened to the podcast and never sent it to me. I could have ignored his message and not listened. I could have not sent a text to John. But because of listening to these prompts, the world is a little kinder today, a little more connected, and a little more profound. Mike, John, and I can all say, “I’m glad I did” in this situation. Today, my friends, you will have small opportunities come across your path with an “I wish I had,” or “I’m glad I did” decision. Life is made up of a bunch of these small decisions. They are way more profound in the trajectory of your life. And don’t feel like you have to get them all right, but do win the battle the majority of the time on the “I’m glad I did” verses “I wish I had” choices in life.
