When asked if they have any regrets, some folks will tell you they have none. I remember good old Art Linkletter (remember him?) saying in an interview he had none and thinking, oh come on, that can’t be true. No one goes through life without wishing some thoughtless words that callously dribbled out of their mouths couldn’t be shoved back in. Or perhaps sweating over their tax return well into the night and wishing they had paid more attention in high school math class.
“Regrets, I’ve had a few; But then again, too few to mention.” ~ Credit: My Way written by Paul Anka
I have my regrets but one in particular burrows under my skin like salt in a cut because it is and was out of my hands. I’m one of those Late Bloomers. You know those kids who say they’re going to grow up to lawyers, doctors or architects? I wasn’t one of them. At least I don’t recall having any such aspirations. Maybe someone along the way poured cold water on them. Who knows.
I met and married my sole mate at 38, went to college in my early 40s and then again 10 years later. 2018 brings my third career.
I just want to wail at the Universe, “Come on! Why am I always the last one to get it? Why am I figuring this stuff out when most of my years are behind me instead of ahead? I could have been enjoying all those years of success and friendships and possessions if I just knew then what I know now! IT’S JUST NOT FAIR.” (whine, whine)
Okay, now that I’ve got that off my chest, here’s the truth as I know it. Life is never going to be fair so get over it. Some people have trust funds and I don’t. Period. Sucks to be me.
I decided – yes it was my decision even before I realized it was my decision – that waiting for the right time was the correct thing to do. Life is sequential and my time would come. As my mentor Bob Proctor will tell you, “…have faith that whatever must happen for you to achieve your goal, will indeed occur.” Really? Is he telling me that it was Destiny that dictated I would be in my 50s before I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up? I think I might have been had.
Ever read all those annoying motivational quotes on social media? I’ve collected a few of my favourites on a Pinterest board. But one really hits home, “Quitters never win. Winners never quit.” Success can come in a year or 30. But no one told me there was a catch. Everything happens when it’s supposed to but YOU are the catalyst who sets things in motion. Do NOT wait until Destiny knocks on your front door and asks if you’d be interested in buying a life.
Nike ’s advertising campaign slogan Just Do It! is brilliant and I should have paid attention. Unfortunately, I didn’t figure that out until I was on the north side of 50. Stupid Late Bloomer.
But just so I don’t feel too bad, Rodney Dangerfield, Martha Stewart, Grandma Moses, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Colonel Sanders, and my heartthrob Brian Dennehy, were all Late Bloomers. There is hope!
Oh and one more thing. If everything happens for a reason, then you shouldn’t have any regrets, right? Quite a conundrum!
Wendy Richards 