I had not really planned on taking a trip this
time of year, and yet I found myself packing
rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be
unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real
good would come of it. I'm talking about my
annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on "WISHIHAD"
airlines. It was an extremely short flight.
I got my baggage, which I could not check.
I chose to carry it myself all the way. It
was weighted down with a thousand memories
of what might have been. No one greeted me
as I entered the terminal to the Regret City
International Airport. I say international
because people from all over the world come
to this dismal town.

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I
noticed that they would be hosting the year's
most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I
wasn't going to miss that great social occasion.
Many of the towns leading citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you
know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have.
Then came the I Had family. You probably know
ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the
Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost.
The biggest family would be the Yesterday's.
There are far too many of them to count, but
each one would have a very sad story to share.
Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and
appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale
us with stories (excuses) about how things had
failed in his life, and each story would be
loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I
Couldn't Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to
this depressing party knowing that there would
be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual,
I became very depressed. But as I thought about
all of the stories of failures brought back from
the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip
and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by
ME! I started to truly realize that I did not
have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed.
One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T
CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO
MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be happy,
joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as
encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City
of Regret immediately and left no forwarding
address. Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in
the past? YES! But there is no physical way
to undo them.

So, if you're planning a trip back to the City
of Regret, please cancel all your reservations
now. Instead, take a trip to a place called,
Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have
now taken up permanent residence there. My
neighbors, the I Forgive Myself's and the New
Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you
don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because
the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.
God bless you in finding this great town. If you
can find it--it's in your own heart --please look
me up. I live on ICANDOIT street.