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200 words, being right, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, growing up, happy, health, life, mistakes, peace
“If you treat every situation as a life and death matter, you’ll die a lot of times.” – Dean Smith
Have you ever made a mistake?
And every time you think back on it, you feel shame, “Oh man, that was stupid, I can’t believe I did that.”
And even though it’s long since worked out, you just can’t get past it.
Or can you remember a time when you felt strongly that something very specific, done your way was the only solution to an issue or everything would just fall apart at the seams?
But you lost that argument, and it didn’t go your way, yet oddly enough the world did not end.
Sometimes, especially when you’ve got a lot going on, your day can become a series of things you need to rush through so you can get to the next item.
And as you let the pressure mount, these items become a matter life or death, even though they’re not, and you die a little each time you think you’ve fallen short.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
Do you fret about past mistakes or decisions you’ve made? Or do you learn from them and move on?
rachelcarrera said:
Are you kidding? The sun doesn’t rise unless I wake up in the morning. (LOL! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) No, but seriously, years ago I used to fret a lot more over mistakes than I do these days… I think you’re spot-on… I think all my imagined stress did kill me a little each time which is why I’m so much more mellow now…. so I don’t die all the way! 🙂 Thanks for the awesome reminder!
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m still needing to remind myself continuously Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Sure, some regrets. I tend to be a straight shooter which sometimes others may not be accustomed. No I don’t speak so poetically in person, as I do in a blog. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
One of these days, I hope to hear first hand how you speak in person Jean! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
Most of my regrets have little to do with mistakes I made (and I did), but more with things I didn’t understand. I was hard on people who were really quite ill. I took their behavior personally. I know better now, but it’s too late to repair those relationships. Very thought provoking, Diana 💕
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dianasschwenk said:
I can relate to that Van. Life is a journey of learning for sure. ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
There are things I still kick myself about, Diana. But believe it or not, I am getting better at letting stuff go into the universe. Life does go on without us. Thanks, my dear friend. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
It sure does, doesn’t it Mark? I’m getting better at it too, it’s taken long enough! ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana, Wise words.
We are all subject to Murphy’s Law. Often, whether they escalate to life or death events, or not, is left up to us.
-Alan
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Chatter Master said:
Good question Diana. I think I have spent a lot of time in the past, fretting over the past before that. 🙂 But now, not so much. Mostly, I am pretty sure, because I don’t want my kids to do what I did. Waste too much time. Reflection and learning is great. But moving on is so much better.
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Oh, I’m definitely in the Learn From Them and Move On camp. I’ve always felt it was important to look forward not backward. The future, obviously, is the only one you have any semblance of a shred of a hope of control over.
Regrets are okay, but it’s not useful (or fun) to obsess over them.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, this I know about you Smitty. Not sure one has control over the future, but at least there’s still a chance to control it, right? You know, because it hasn’t happened yet… ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Exactly. And hence the waffling about semblances and shreds and hopes. (Mmmmm… waffles! 😀 )
We can only point ourselves in a given direction and navigate the future as best as we can. A good compass helps.
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jmgoyder said:
I am definitely a fretter but this post is helping me cope with that – thanks Diana xxx
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dianasschwenk said:
Hugs for you Julie. ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
I have never been one to worry about past mistakes, it is done, it can’t be undone, so why worry about it I put it behind me and move on……………
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, you really seem to have a gift in this area Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
It’s so true Diana. What we thought was huge when we were younger, becomes so insignificant as we mature. However, guilt and regrets can destroy us if we let them. I guess its just a continuous “letting go” and accepting what unfolds for us. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
And a learning process, I think. Living, experiencing and applying what we learn, perhaps, Karen? ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
The last few days I have been reading my school-girl diaries from 1967 onwards. I am intrigued by the situations that at the time I felt were HUGE disasters and yet were nothing. I am so glad that I changed that attitude to one of a glass-half-full perspective instead… it makes for a more contended existence.
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dianasschwenk said:
I know Elizabeth – attitude truly is 90% of it and your life experience proves it. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
A little of both Diana. Some things I did when I was younger I know I only made those choices because i was young and immature. But you have to move on and its always a HUGE learning curve for me when I make mistakes. Im my own worst critic.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, aren’t we all Kath? When I read the quote, my mind immediately went back to high school where every little thing was the end of the world! ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
I love this perspective Diana!
With awareness we can choose how we respond to any situation … life is a lot better than the alternative 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Being alive is amazing. And that is it in a nutshell – thanks Val!
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Nurse Kelly said:
Hi Diana! It’s always an ongoing battle for me – I do fret about mistakes, but I do have the knowledge to know I need to move on. Putting that knowledge to work is always the hard part, right?! One day at a time 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I imagine being a nurse makes that even more acute Kelly. When one feels responsible for the care of others, every decision weighs more heavily and becomes more critical, wouldn’t you say? ❤
Diana xo
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Nurse Kelly said:
Yes, there are many decisions all the time. You do the best you can. Definitely good practice for thinking on your feet and oftentimes very quickly – especially in the hospital setting!
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dianasschwenk said:
I bet! And I’d also bet that you give hope and comfort to many! 🙂
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Nurse Kelly said:
I try, Diana. Thank you xo
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re very welcome Kelly. We don’t value your profession nearly as much as we should – I know a nurse’s hand on my shoulder, a kind word, etc., has often meant the difference between panic attack and calm.
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Nurse Kelly said:
That’s a wonderful thing for you to say. It really is a thankless profession. When people are suffering and don’t feel good, it is just expected that you help – but that is all just part of it. You know in your heart that what you did was valued, and that’s what really matters anyway. More often than not, patients do express gratitude, so it’s all well worth it. 🙂
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