Regret. The feeling we could have, or should have done something we didn’t, or shouldn’t have done something we did.

I listened to an account recently of a dying man who struggled till the very last moment of his life. His struggle, his pain, was more caused by regret than the pain of what was physically killing him.

The personal realization that I faced just in hearing that story is that I am not ready to go either. Would I face my fate differently than that man? Who knows, at least I hope not.

So, how do I change my ways to live fully for the rest of the time that I may have? I like to call it the “leave it on the field” principle. In my efforts to live up to my New Years resolutions, I have made an effort to live more, with less. I am spending my energy on the “big things”, less on the petty. I will enjoy the opportunity to expend everything I have in the important things in my life, rather than waste it on the little things. Rather than yelling at the dog to stop barking, or the kids to stop bickering, a more balanced response is what I really hope to give. Instead of throwing pithy jabs and cutting remarks on the aviation sites I lived on till January 1st, I will spend that time working on ABLE related topics, and learning new things. As a matter of fact, I violated my own rule tonight by posting to an airline pilot union forum to bicker, and immediately went to my gym and did some pullups and pushups to make amends on my transgression. I wrote my goals, now I have to pursue them (my wife saw it).

My beautiful children deserve a dad that has abundant time to give them. My wife deserves a more “present” husband. My soul deserves to awaken each morning to work in efforts more rewarding than paying bills. I love coaching PDR, working on conflict, and learning new life changing skills. I still love flying airplanes, but the industry does not fulfill any spiritual needs any more. (Although Captain Sullenburger’s landing on the Hudson this week was a spiritual high for sure)

That said, the content on this sight is changing little by little to a more positive light, a more full experience. While I have, and always will focus on personal safety and conflict issues in this effort, I will be adding something a bit different in the coming months.

The website will eventually be taken over by the one I am constructing, and will focus on life skills development in the full range of confidence, conflict, learning, problem solving, and resiliency.

It will be a monumental task for me to shift gears, but I believe it will be a journey worth taking. I hope you will participate with me.

Would it be interesting to you to hear how people overcome setbacks from different life issues? Would you like to hear about new learning techniques? Would you like to hear about the mindset that some of the most challenging occupations require? Would you like to just build more confidence in your day to day life?

The paradigms we used to operate in this country, in this world are changing quickly. Are you in the best position mentally, physically, or spiritually to cope and thrive in this environment? Will you reach the finish line fulfilled, or full of regret? I hope it is fulfilled.

I hope to dig in to these topics and more on this blog in the coming months. I Know theres only 4 of you following this blog right now, but I hope that some of the topics will encourage you to chime in. Thanks for reading, and I hope you like what is to come.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009