Regret and Opportunities
Famed hockey player Wayne Gretzky, is
credited with the inspirational quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t
take”. This quote has many meanings, but it caused me to think about regret.
What opportunities do we regret not taking?
If you have ever watched hockey, you can see players shooting the puck toward the goal with no one blocking the goal but the goaltender. Other times they shoot the puck through a crowd of players. Either way the intention is to get the puck in the goal.
How often have we had a clear shot at our dreams, only to hesitate, or hear the voice of self-doubt stopping us in our tracks, thereby missing our chance to follow our dreams? If we wait for everything to be right we may never move forward with our true and authentic desires.
How many shots on the goal did Gretzky have to take to be as successful as he was as a hockey player? Were they all clear, open shots, probably not, but he took the chance anyway.
Chances are good not all of our opportunities will result in success. But all our opportunities successful or not, will result in learning something that will help increase our self-confidence, and our ability to know what is true and right for us.
If we are afraid of stepping outside our comfort zone we may regret never having the opportunity to see our true potential. We could also regret the chances we did take as well. A failure may cause us to regret trying in the first place, so the next time an opportunity comes along we may choose to do nothing.
When we are close to closing our eyes for the last time, will we regret taking a chance that changed our lives for the better? Or will we regret having chosen the safe route instead?
One of the things I have learned in life is not all opportunities ring the door bell and introduce themselves. Many are chance meetings, a tip from a friend, a post on social media, or a search on the world wide web.
When I first began writing, I wanted to get my articles out to a wider audience. I searched the internet for magazines that fit my genre, downloaded their writers guidelines and wrote articles that fit what the editors wanted. I then queried my articles to these magazines.
The querying process was nerve-racking because I had no idea if the editor would like my article. My thought was, no one is reading my writing as long as it sits in my computer so why not try to get them published?
Was I afraid my articles would be rejected, of course. But I knew if I didn’t try I would regret it for years. In a way I created my own opportunities by taking the risk. Did all my queries get a positive response? No, but the magazines that did favor my articles have supported my writing for years.
If we regret taking advantage of an opportunity we will always wonder “What if”? “What if I had…?” How would life be different if….?” I would much rather say to myself, “I’m grateful I took the chance and it changed the direction of my life for the better.”
To live without regrets is to give ourselves the best opportunity for living beyond the limiting beliefs we often hold within our consciousness. If we take a chance and fail, no matter the outcome, we will have learned from the experience. This growth will help us in the future.
Isn’t the intention of life to live beyond our limiting beliefs? To see how far we can go, and what we can accomplish? To know the truth of who we are and then live through this awareness? If we choose to listen to our fears we’ll never know, but if we are courageous enough to take a chance and give ourselves the best opportunities for success we may live regret free.
As it turns out Gretzky scored more goals than anyone else in professional hockey history. How many shots did he take? How many times did he doubt he would score? It really doesn’t matter because it appears he played the game without regret and gave himself every opportunity to succeed.
~~~
How often have you regretted missing an
opportunity that would have changed the course of your life?
Let me know what you think, I’m always open to exploring the subject further. Leave a question, or comment below, or email me at paulhudonauthor@gmail.com.
Each week I email an article to those who have subscribed to my weekly. This week I wrote about ghosts. Here is an excerpt.
I use the word ghost in regards to the person who caused our painful memories because these memories still control us emotionally. Even though the negative event may have happened years ago, the memory raises an uncomfortable emotional reaction within us. In a way, the memory is a ghost haunting us even now.
To read this article, or if you would like to subscribe to my weekly, scroll to the very bottom of the page where you will find a place to subscribe. Or, email me at paulhudonauthor@gmail.com and I’ll add your name to the list.
I’m excited to announce my second book, “A Complete Life, Discovering Your Authentic Self” has been handed off to the publisher with an expected launch date of Spring 2022. I’ll keep posting updates here, and on my social media platforms as to when I have an actual release date.
If you would like to purchase a copy of my book, “Your Inner Guidance, The Path to Discovering Your True Happiness,” and you live in my area, you can buy it at Salida Books in Salida, or The Book Nook in Buena Vista. Or reach out to me, I’ll even sign it for you.
Or, you can also buy it through Amazon,
as an eBook or paperback, by clicking on the link. Please feel free to leave a
review.
I’m fortunate to write a monthly column for Conscious Shift Magazine. This month you can find my article, “The Cannonball.” Do we go through life like a tsunami or a gentle wave? Click the link to read more.
https://consciousshiftcommunity.com/the-cannonball/
Check out Conscious Shift Magazine as a
great resource for guidance and inspiration.
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Thank you for reading this post, and being a part of this wonderful adventure called life. I appreciate your support.
Peace and Well-Being
Copyright Paul Hudon 2022
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