REGRETS AND RESOLUTIONS

REGRETS, I'VE HAD A FEW, BUT THEN AGAIN, TOO FEW TO MENTION.

I love the Frank Sinatra song, "I DID IT MY WAY." The above line is an integeral part of the lyric. I, like Frank, have had a few. But, they are trivial and have really no big dissapointments or consequences involved.

I recently read an article by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. The article was named, "OF REGRETS AND RESOLUTIONS." It appeared in the November issue of The Ensign Magazine.

President Uchtdorf tells of a nurse who cares for terminally ill seniors. She would often ask the older patients a simple question. "Do you have any regrets?"

Being so close to that final day of mortality often gives clarity to thought and provides insight and perspective. So when people were asked about their regrets, they opened their hearts. They reflected about what they would change if only they could turn back the clock.

When we are young, it seems that we will live forever. We think there is a limitless supply of sunrises waiting just beyond the horizon, and the future looks to us like an unbroken road stretching endlessly before us.

However, the older I get, and the more ailments and serious illnesses I have suffered, the more I tend to look back and marvel how short the road really is. It's amazing to me how the years have passed so quickly. I really think about the choices I have made and the things I have done. In the process, I remember many sweet moments that give warmth to my soul and I relish the quiet thoughts and quickened memories of my wonderful life. BUT, you sometimes remember the regrets - the things you could back and change.

The nurse recounted the conversations she had with the elderly, very ill patients. She reported that the most universal regret was that they WISHED THEY HAD SPENT MORE TIME WITH THE PEOPLE THEY LOVED.

The next biggest regret was: "I WISH I HAD LIVED UP TO MY POTENTIAL."

The next regret was: "I WISH I HAD LET MYSELF BE HAPPIER."

I have been pondering these oft-repeated regrets and have decided that they really don't apply that much to me. On the first regret, I admit I spent a great deal of time with work and following a most satisfying career path. But, I don't think I neglected my family and spending quality time and experiences with them.  Could I have spent more time? Sure. But, the Ball family has been referred to as the "Thundering Herd." We spend quality and quantity time together. One son-in-law once said to me, "I believe in family togetherness, but doesn't the Ball family over do it?" My answer was "No."

The next regret oft told about living up to potential also would not be on my list. I never made a great deal of money and did not have what some might consider a great career. But LIVING TO POTENTIAL? I think I probably did. I was the first person in my family to attend college. I came from a humble, hard working family. I never received one penny of financial help for my education. I was self supporting from the age of 10. I never received one bit of advise or council regarding a career or of aptitude. I worked two or more jobs all of my early life and even after marriage and good jobs. Whatever I accomplished was probably more than I anticipated and perhaps deserved. I had three jobs in 53 years and I loved each of them.

The last "regret" the nurse heard the most was about how they wish THEY HAD LET THEMSELVES BE HAPPIER.  Again, I have really pondered this and I think I have led a happy life. I'm the "glass is half full" kind of a guy. I love to laugh. I love to enjoy. I love to relish the great blessings of life. In my many years of life, I have generally been very happy. Life is good! I have been so blessed!

My REGRETS are different and really not too significant. I regret not leaning to play an instrument. I would like to have mastered a foreign language. I wish I had studied harder in school. I regret not getting good council early in my education years. None of these are earth-shaking.

Well, perhaps you might ponder regarding the question about regret in your life. After you do that, you might take the advise of President Uchtdorf and resolve to make the corrections that will turn the "regrets" into accomplishments. It's never too late. Spend more time with loved ones. Work now to improve talents and reach potential and for heaven's sake, be happy, If you ever think how unfortunate you are, just look around you at see how others live. See the burdens and ailments of others, You might discover you are blessed and have much to be happy about.

LIFE IS SO GOOD. REGRETS? Yes. we may have them but then again, they might be too few to mention.