Star Gazing…No Regrets

July 18, 2024

Say it isn’t so…but summer is half over. Sometimes I get to this point in the summer and lament that I didn’t get in the best “bathing suit shape” or haven’t hosted enough cookouts or counted fireflies with the kids. But let’s not think that way…you know…cup half empty. Let’s celebrate that we still have half the summer to enjoy! I want my cup to be overflowing and appreciate all that summer brings like picnics, waking with the sun, playing wiffle ball with the kids and star gazing. This Saturday, July 20th is Toss Away the ‘Could Haves’ and ‘Should Haves’ Day. This day was created by author and motivational speaker Martha J. Ross-Rodgers to encourage people to let go of the past and live in the present. I love this concept.

We can easily apply this attitude any time of year and to all sorts of situations. So many times we beat ourselves up for not “doing more” or “being more.” Ross-Rodgers encourages us to write down our regrets and then toss them away. We don’t want our regrets to weigh us down and affect our health. Unfortunately, holding onto regrets can negatively affect our health in various ways. We can become depressed and not function as well as we want. Also, holding onto regrets can cause stress that impacts our hormonal balance and our immune system, making us more vulnerable to disease.

Not only is it important to let go of regret, if we teach our children to move forward after making mistakes, they will be more likely to take healthy risks and seek more opportunities. Let’s practice what we preach and set ourselves up for success.

Identify Regrets: You can’t let go unless you are honest about what you did or didn’t do. Write your regrets down.
Give Yourself Compassion: We are all so hard on ourselves. Don’t let guilt or shame hold you up. Maybe someone else doesn’t forgive you for a transgression, but you can forgive yourself. You can’t control other people’s reactions but you can control your own. Each new day is an opportunity to start fresh. Maybe you added too much salt to your soup…you can still save the day by adding more broth.
Direct The Behavior: You are not a bad person for speaking harshly or eating too much fast food. It’s the behavior we chose that we regret. Love yourself, and work to change the behavior. For example, curb your impulse to eat drive-thru meals by planning your meals with your DinnerTime Meal Planner and then edit your Pantry and Grocery lists. If you have healthy foods already on hand, you will be more likely to make a delicious home-cooked meal.
Toss Those Regrets: Now that you have written down your regrets, toss them in the trash. Let the kids partake in this exercise too. Kids carry a lot on their shoulders and while they need to learn that actions come with consequences, they can also learn to move on to be and do better. Strive to be better… in a healthy way.
Build Positive Muscle Memory: Practice self love and turn away from negative self-talk. Now that you have tossed your regrets, it’s time to build a list of positive things about you, and the types of wonderful things you do for others. Are you loyal…do you help set the table every night? Have everyone in the family make a list and then post it somewhere like your fridge. Even reading someone else’s list will remind you to look for the positive in a person.
Support Your Immune System: Healthy practices like exercise, plenty of sleep, and healthy food have a major impact on your health. Keep blood sugar spikes to a minimum by choosing proteins, fiber-rich veggies and fruits. There are so many delightful DinnerTime recipes that take advantage of all the gorgeous and luscious in-season veggies and fruits. I keep a bowl of fruit all year ’round on the counter that we all see first when entering the kitchen (skip opening the cabinets). Keep cut up veggies and a container of dip ready for an afternoon pick me up. Cheese sticks, nut butters and hard boiled eggs are all great to have on hand ready to tide us over until our next meal.