"How do you regret while still moving forward?"

Whenever  I got a new job working for a new company in the "Mall", It was only a matter of time before I realized I worked to hard and was extremely underpaid or unappreciated. Of course in retrospect its always easy to say that- but why does it, more than often, take us so long to see that we are in a bad situation. Is it comfort, fear, hesitation or just plain stupidity? 

I never regret much in my life because I'm for the most part, someone who understands that everything happens for a reason. One door closes in order for another one to open right? Although much has happened to me over my life- I am always grateful to be alive, in good health and surrounded by good friends and family. Don't misunderstand me, sometimes that isn't enough. I don't have a very close nuclear family and my friends are a handful. So that leaves much to my decision making- as opposed to a bigger community. A constant fork in the road...which way do I go?

Yesterday I felt a bit of regret, and I'm not sure where it came from or what it really was about. But it was a bit of sadness. I'm sure many people are going through this right now- no matter how big or small the challenge is. Every night the news reports more and more about family's committing homicide, people losing their jobs, people dying in car crashes. Chaos. I don't doubt that many nights of questioning, contemplation, searching and yes- regret, filled the minds of thousands of Americans. For some this is too much, and for some they continue to move forward.

But- to move forward and never look back is a tall order these days. We all have lost so much and have come from such "sweet" better days. In Orange County, you are constantly reminded of what you do not have, its hard to avoid. Nonetheless, I have become a bit numb to the aesthetics and more comfortable with the substance of happiness.

So to answer my very important question "How do you regret while still moving forward?"

I can only suggest this.

Live life with the understanding that material posessions and luxury surroundings are unimportant. Family, Love, Spirituality (no matter what kind), and genuine kindness are going to be the foundations for a better tomorrow. No new president, bailout or even running away to a new state could build that. 

You see we all got to this "place" in our world because of our inability to see the truth, hold ourselves accountable and our greed. We do have an opportunity to repair, but we have to make sure its with the most genuine of intentions. We cannot afford to "band aid" our issues as society anymore. We must return- somehow to dinner with the family and turn off the television and the Nintendo. We must return to understanding friends "in person" and not through social networking, We must return to manners and respect and ask ourselves why that disappeared to begin with. Why taking a walk is so bad and driving was made necessity. I could go on and on.

So ill leave you with this. Make time for yourself. Sit and think about what truley makes you happy. In turn, "be present" in all conversations you have with your good friends and family. Everyday is full of opportinities to be better- do your part and participate in the change.