Regrets

It makes sense, to me at least, to think that after a certain age your regrets in life should be minimal. When you are a kid you have no idea that when you are older you will look back and ask yourself “Why did I quit that?” or “Why didn’t I try to do that?” Sure, your parents will tell you, but what do they know? ;) When I was younger I quit piano and voice lessons. I didn’t try out for the high school basketball team (which I probably would have made. Not because I’m so good, but because our team wasn’t all that great). I didn’t try very hard at volleyball tryouts my junior year because I didn’t think I really wanted to be on the team again. I know I sound like I was a huge quitter, and I looking back on all that I guess I was. And, looking back, I wish I could take all of that back. I would love to be able to play the piano or sing with some confidence that I actually sound decent.

Unfortunately for me, those poor decisions didn’t disappear when I got older and “wiser.” My latest regret wasn’t something that I quit; it is something that I just didn’t do. For three years Jeremy and I lived in a condo that was surrounded by hundreds more condos filled with people who were primarily our same age and in the same stage in life… A perfect environment for meeting lots of people and making friends, right? And yet, I moved out without having made one friend. Yes, I knew a lot of names, knew where people lived, and even knew about some of the things that were happening in their lives, but I had never really done anything with any of them. There is no one I could call now and ask to go shopping or go to a chick flick that Jeremy doesn't want to go to, or just hang out. I am not a very outgoing person and I find it hard to strike up conversations with people, but that is no excuse. I had three years to talk with and get to know lots of great girls my age, but I just let them pass right on by. Now I live in an established ward and neighborhood with very few opportunities to do that. When I moved in back then why couldn’t I have been able to see three years ahead and see how I would be feeling now? I guess we live to learn…