Have you ever felt regret which caused you deep sadness and disappointment?  Regret is part of the human experience, however when it becomes habitual, it can stilt growth and prevent you from enjoying life. The past can either be a fuel or an impediment depending on how you see your experiences.  When past experiences cause you to feel regret, here are thoughts that you can focus on to transform your current experience.

Pain can be turned into power.  Your struggles can be used to help others. You can share what got you through.  You can share the mindset and the attitude you used to navigate those difficult times. Instead of focusing on yourself, you can choose to focus on others and be of service.  Something beautiful can come out from the brokenness. You are stronger because of all you have gone through. You are a true survivor. You can choose to be an inspiration.

I choose to honor my current experience and appreciate what I have now.  You can choose to look for what you are grateful for and for things that bring you happiness right now.  You can make more space in your heart by letting go of resentment. That space can be replaced with gratitude. Even the experiences that bring us discomfort and pain are good for us because they enable us to grow and become more empathetic and compassionate with others. 

Life is beautiful. There is so much to learn, see, and explore.  May it be in the form of art, nature, music, or dance, beauty can be transformative and lead us back to the present moment.

I am learning and improving each day. Forgiving yourself and others affirms your humanity.  You are not perfect but you can work on being a better human being each day. You can choose to be curious instead of feeling like a victim.  You have the choice to replace the victim mentality with the student mentality.  You can choose to be a student of life.

I can stop judging and start understanding.  This applies not just towards others but also towards yourself.  Start asking questions about motivations. In the end, everyone just wants to feel loved and feel good.

If I am focused on the present then I don’t have time to think about the past.  Fill your thoughts with what excites you.  Do something that allows you to focus on what you’re currently doing like playing a sport.

I have a choice to start today and go after my dreams.  It’s never too late. Don’t put off what you can do today because of fear or what others may think.

I am not a victim; I am the creator of my life. By taking responsibility of your life, you stop blaming others.  With this comes a sense of power.  You start to feel in control instead of circumstances or other people controlling your decisions. 

I live in an abundant universe. Trust that you are provided for.What you look for, you will find.  What you focus on will manifest itself to you.  Good things and great opportunities can come out of any situation if you look for them.

Letting go of regret and resentments gives space to peace.  You are at peace when you are no longer thinking of what could have been.  You are liberated and therefore able to do more.  You continue learning.  You accept the past fully because you are able to look at the bigger picture. You realize that life is dynamic, always changing, like a wheel with all the ups and downs or like a painting constituted by light and darkness.  Each experience is like a stroke that will create a beautiful painting.  With this mindset, a win and a loss are both equally valued. You no longer resist or hide parts of you.  All experiences are acknowledged, fully embraced, and appreciated.  As a result, your past is fully integrated into the present and you show up in life with courage and authenticity.