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 Wish I. Had 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 canceled 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 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 I Can Do It
Street.