my life to new possibilities , but it also created new wounds .
We live in a world that says we need to have a mindset of no regrets . I have plenty of them . It hurt me deeply when someone who betrayed my trust uttered the words “ no regrets ” as it spoke to that person being oblivious to the pain they had caused . Regrets are only a bad thing when we allow them to hold us back . They can assist in the prevention of repeating mistakes and teach us how to handle certain circumstances better . If we refuse to acknowledge that experience , then we can ’ t turn it into a tool to make our lives better .
When we use those mistakes to improve our lives , we can get to a point where we can ’ t look back on the certain incidents and associate them with the word regret . I regret not being a better communicator with people who were good to me . I took for granted they knew that I appreciated their contribution to my life . Even when they do know , sometimes they still need to hear it every once in a while . I can ’ t say sorry to the people who are no longer in my life . However , I can make a conscience effort to do better with others in the future .
We have all made mistakes . We have to learn to stop kicking ourselves in the behind , forgive ourselves and find the courage to move beyond it . We can ’ t get stuck in the cycle of blame . We definitely can ’ t take the blame for circumstances that were out of our control . Our situation needs to assessed to figure out what is the next step to get our lives back on track . don ’ t deal with them , we will fall . Our peace of mind suffers . Our relationships suffer . Our lives suffer because our hearts , minds , and souls are divided by the wounds in our way . We put up so many defense mechanisms that restrict the flow of our lives .
A bubble was created around my life to keep out the pain , but it also kept out blessings . My movements were in fear instead of faith and courage . I was consumed with protecting myself . As I crossed paths with others like me , I began to understand when we are not moving in our purpose due to our issues , we are also blocking someone ’ s blessing . We are sitting on someone ’ s inspiration . We are holding our destiny and gifts hostage because our wounds won ’ t let us move forward .
We can ’ t live life without incurring wounds . They will either make us bitter or make us better . They will either grow us up or stall us . They will either weaken or strengthen us . They will either break us down or build us up . We are the deciding factor on how these occurrences past , present , and future will affect us . I am hoping that those who have wounds in their way are granted the strength , courage , and faith to move past them .
The journey to work through the wounds won ’ t be easy but it will be worth it . We have to trust that circumstances that once scarred us will become a testimony that empowers , inspires and strengthens our lives .
Sometimes instead of doing an overhaul , I attempted cosmetic changes . It caused me to sabotage great opportunities and take a new route to the same mistake . I couldn ’ t accept new blessings when my hands were full of old issues I should have let go .
Our wounds can cause us to be a house divided . If we
Karen D . Bradley , a Chicago native , is the author , Shattered Illusions , Life on Fire , Love Runs Deep and Tainted Love . She co-authored novel a with her sister , Jenetta M . Bradley , and is working on her next novel . Visit her on the web at www . ambrosiasands . com
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