Jim's Fields of Observation

Image by mattwi1s0n via Flickr

I came across this quote today: “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” (W. M. Lewis) No, I am not dying. But I don’t think one has to be at death’s proverbial door to appreciate the tragedy of time and opportunity lost.

I recently read a great article on choice and happiness. To summarize, the more choices we have, often the unhappier we end up (contrary to the American ideal: freedom to choose). This often comes about because we spend time needlessly worrying about what might or might not have been.

I have seen this in my own life. I imagine you may have, too.

So, what are we to do about it? Here are a few ideas I plan on trying.

• Keep the right perspective at choice-making time. How many choices are truly life-altering? Very few.
• Use decisions and decision-making to blaze a trail to who I want to be. Take the bull by the horns, if you will.
• Learn from my past mistakes. I see this as the main - if not only - way to redeem my blunders is to learn from them.
• Don’t dwell the past. Depression is much more likely in artists not because of their creativity, but due to their tendency towards endless self-reflection. I’m going to move on already.

These are some of my ideas. What will you do?