31 Days | Crossroads of the Heart

“I am entirely made of flaws stitched together with good intentions.” ~Augusten Burroughs

Boston

This will be a short, yet sweet post. For the past few months, I’ve written 30 other articles on what I consider my biggest weaknesses. To open up that much of my personal life has been kind of crazy for an introvert, but tremendously rewarding for a writer. It is still one of my favorite series I’ve ever written.

Before I started the 31 Days, I actually never read the quote above. But, when I discovered it on Pinterest a few weeks ago, I knew it was the cherry on top of my weakness sundae. (It’s been a long day.) You’ve probably heard enough of my grime and grope about how most of these weaknesses are not tragedies, but more blessings in disguise so I will save you the mushy mushy… for now.

The reality is that each of my weaknesses is a piece of me that, albeit imperfect, makes me unique and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Some of my favorite posts from the series:

Thanks for reading! I feel grateful to finish this series and look forward to what is to come around here in the future.

*I’m participating in a 31 Days series with numerous other writers. To read my entire series, please view this page.

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A couple of years ago, I read this article on Psychology Today that summarized research results from hundreds of people on “the biggest regret of their life.” From the article, people’s biggest regrets boiled down to the following four categories:

1. Education — In one of two forms: 1) not getting enough education or 2) not applying themselves more in school

2. Career — Not pursuing the career they really loved. Instead, they chose something more practical or one that paid better.

3. Romance — Marrying the “wrong” person, not putting more effort into their marriage, doing something to hurt their partner, or letting someone special slip away.

4. Parenting — In one of two forms: 1) spending more time with their children or 2) wishing they had waited longer before having their first child

***

I think of this article occasionally when life events cause me to reflect on where I’m going and what is most important to me. I can’t say that my current “regrets” look exactly like this list. For one, I haven’t had to make most of these decisions yet. But, I can’t help but think about how it might look eerily similar one day.

If I know anything, this I know for sure: my list and your list and the person next to you’s list will all have one thing in common. Each of our regret lists will contain someone who we love — whether it’s wishing that we spent more time with them, hadn’t lost touch, took back something hurtful that we said, shared more loving words, etc.

With the passing of a high school friend this past weekend, I feel compelled to say something sentimental, albeit not unique.

In honor of a great man, please take a moment this week to reflect upon what your list might look like and go out and do something about it. I especially urge you to reach out to someone who you’ve meant to speak to lately. Our efforts individually are small, but combined together, we can create a lot of love.

From the bottom of my heart and his (I borrowed your heart; I hope that is okay), thank you.

Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

~Lynard Skynard

*I’m participating in a 31 Days series with numerous other writers. To read my entire series, please view this page.