Does anyone treat your life like a book?

2016-06-18T15:24:52-04:00

My book is mainly a book of regrets: Perhaps I could have been nicer to my date, perhaps I could have tried harder, perhaps I could have been a better son. I don't know why my mind is drilling down for these nuggets of regrets, but it is getting disconcerting. It makes me wonder about my intellectual, emotional, and mental stability.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 3:33 PM

2016-06-18T15:33:55-04:00

i think we all have regrets from our pevious years, thats what growing up is about learn from the past to imporove the future some of us take longer

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jun 18 at 2016 4:14 PM

2016-06-18T16:14:45-04:00

Yep, it's called depression. I got lucky and received help. Good luck with yours.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 6:36 PM

2016-06-18T18:36:47-04:00

The best single suggestion I can make is to find ways to serve others. It's a slow struggle to become your best possible self while caring for the people you love. I'm not sure that's interesting enough a story to hit the best seller list... however it is the most important story you'll ever write (at least metaphorically).

There is no point grieving over mistakes you have made in the past, unless your still the person who would make such a mistake.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 18 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-06-18T19:37:48-04:00

Doing a Mental Inventory, I think we all do that. Depression Maybe, I understand, While not "Diagnosed" have 2 in the family Manic Depressive/Bi Polar whatever you want to call it and I'm pretty much like them. I just came out of Month Long Funk. Not big on the Regrets, that requires way too much Mental Effort on my part. Good, Bad or Indifferent, I don't regret anything I've done it is what makes me what I am today. All I have to do is look at my Hoodlums, My Grandchildren and I'm good for the most part. Considering the Depression I suffered from before I joined the service, The World is Great.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 18 at 2016 9:50 PM

2016-06-18T21:50:57-04:00

I treat mine like my keys. Can never find them and wonder how they got there when I do.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 19 at 2016 11:35 AM

2016-06-19T11:35:40-04:00

We all have regrets, CPT Joseph K Murdock, and each of us deal with them differently. I think that Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) articulated a way to deal with it in his now famous (Serenity) prayer:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference." TSgt Hunter Logan LTC Stephen F.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 19 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-06-19T20:44:12-04:00

My life has unfolded like a book best viewed in hindsight CPT Joseph K Murdock. Most of it is non-fiction; but, some of it seems like fantasy or science fiction when viewed.
I know that my life has intersected with many other lives and in that sense our life stories have common chapters from the chance meetings to the long term friendships and family members with many common sections.
Since my name is written in the Lambs Book of Life which took place before time began, I recognize and understand that my life as book intersects with the God's plan for many people's lives.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 19 at 2016 8:57 PM

2016-06-19T20:57:03-04:00

I started looking at my life like a book a few years ago and it really helped me. We all got regrets, there's always coulda, woulda, shoulda, but in the end the fork in the road is the one we have to deal with. I've asked many questions about my past life and wondered "what if", but in the end I turn my eyes forward and proceed to turn that next page. I think it is good sometimes to look back and know where we've come from and ask questions because it also gives us a window into understand ourselves. If I hadn't looked back I wouldn't have found the path forward. The trick is learning to not look back so much and keep focused more forward to where you are going. Remember Forest Gump and his box. I've also had the faith to ask God to keep my eyes forward. For me it helps a bunch.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 9:10 PM

2016-06-19T21:10:40-04:00

CPT Joseph K Murdock, My life has never been like a book. Ever since I can remember it's been a day to day challenge trying to being a good friend, good son, a good husband, a good father, and a good grandfather. My life has been full of challenges. It's been a tough road, but I'm finally coming to the end of it. I have God in my life and he has been my guide, watching over me through my childhood, the Vietnam war, and my manhood. Whenever he is ready for me, I'm ready to go.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 20 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-06-20T11:29:35-04:00

I do actually. When I was a kid, I watched this movie called "My Life" starring Michael Keaton. The movie had a big impact on me because we like to think we have all the time in the world, but harsh realities have taught us that long life is never a guarantee. Even before I became a father I was thinking of all the things I wanted to pass down to my children. Everything from advice to interests. No I am not planning out my children's lives in advance, more like thinking ahead for all eventualities.

To sum up the movie, a man is about to be a father and he also discovered he has a few months left to live. So he videotapes all the little words of wisdom and advice he wants to pass down.

I have spent plenty of dark nights wondering if I did X differently how would my life be different. Or I might think if my children were in a similar situation, what advice could I pass down to them.