// Day Five
No regrets here. And I don't fully believe in the notion of predestination or that "everything happens for a reason." I believe God/karma/life throws opportunities at us but it's up to us to make the best of those opportunities.
I can't predict what the future is gonna throw at me, nor can I predict how I'll react to something in the heat of the moment. So to hear that "everything happens for a reason" as if all of the good & bad times in my life were already planned out...that just doesn't work for me.
Whatever happens to me -- whether its life's curveballs thrown my way or results of bad decisions I've made in the past -- I define my own reason.
So instead of posting regrets, here are Six Painful Lessons I've Learned:
- After my first heartbreak, I learned that love is nothing like the movies. There is no such thing as a simple "happily ever after." Both sides have to trust each other completely, be on the same page and be willing to make great sacrifices for each other.
- After another heartbreak, I learned to look at it this way: "You wanted so bad to be with the wrong person, imagine how beautiful it'll be when you find the right one." I also learned, "Don't settle. Ever."
- Six years after walking in on my college roommate having sex, I learned to appreciate all of the random, trivial and painful things that led me to where I am today. (You'll have to read that link to see what I mean.)
- When someone close to me told me of their dying condition, I learned that we need to take better care of our bodies because we only get one. (I'm totally guilty of forgetting this..I need to remind myself of this more often.)
- When my uncle passed away to lung cancer, I learned to never take my mom & dad for granted. This heartbreak also led me to this next one...
- ...There is no such thing as "perfection." Embrace all of the imperfections in your life.
- After getting my first full-body massage, I learned to ALWAYS request a female masseuse.
Sorry, just had to throw in that extra one, haha.
-Mel