It is often said that at the end of our lives, we are more likely to regret the things we did not do than the things we did. When contemplating whether to do something or not, a plucky
voice in our heads may say, "You never know until you try." This is
time-honored wisdom that encourages us to be game rather than to hold back.
It reminds us that it is only through experience that we learn about this
world and ourselves. Even if we regret the outcome, we have learned
something, and the newfound knowledge is almost always worth it. This wisdom can be applied to situations both large and small. From crossing
the Atlantic on a boat to trying Ethiopian food, there's only one way to find
out what it's like. We have all had experiences where we tried something we
didn't think we'd like and fell in love. We may have found ourselves stuck
with nothing to read but a "boring" book, only to kick-start a
lifelong passion for Victorian literature. We may have decided that sailing
was not for us until we fell in love with someone with a boat. On the other
hand, we may try tofu only to learn that it is truly not for us. In this
case, we gain greater self-knowledge from the experience. And yet, we might
still remain open to trying it prepared in a different way. The right
marinade might make you a convert -- you'll never know if you don't try it.
It is often said that at the end of our lives we are more likely to regret
the things we did not do than the things we did. As an exercise to test your
own willingness to discover through doing, try making a list of things you
regret not having done. You may begin to notice patterns such as a failure to
say what you really think at key moments or closed-mindedness to certain
types of activities. Just being aware of the opportunities you missed might
encourage you not to miss them again. There's only one way to find out. |
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