It’s amazing the difference two words can make.
If only … two words that hold you back, trip you up with regret, refuse to let you begin again because you’re still caught up in something that’s over and done with.
Next time … two words that say “go ahead, try again!” and promise there’s more to life than your mistakes or disappointments.
I know life isn’t all about being happy, but this quote offers an important lesson on how to offer yourself grace, how to offer yourself a second chance — or as many chances as you need: Don’t look back with regrets. Look forward with anticipation.
In Your Words: How do substituting the words “Next Time” for the words “If Only” change your perspective? How else would you encourage someone to not look back with regret?
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Comments 8
Beth, what a great post! It’s amazing the different two words can make. If Only . . . regret indeed. Next time . . . these two words speak hope to me. And as you said, anticipation. And second (or third, or twenty-ninth) chances. We all need those from time to time.
Author
The power of the words we speak to ourselves and to others …
I really needed this today, Beth. Thank you. Next time … anticipation … yeah. 🙂
Author
So glad you were encouraged, Shelli!
Next time …
Wow, Smiley lived a very long life. Maybe that’s why he was so wise. 🙂 Thanks for this post today, Beth.
Author
Ahem.
And that should be 1966.
Sheesh.
Thanks for catching that, Kim.
I will fix it. Sometime after deadline.
Great post.
I don’t have too much trouble with “if only”. Regretting a point in the past negates the good that followed it, and that seems rather ungrateful.
Lucky for me, I guess. I seem to be running out of next times. Weekend and the past few days have been quite an experience. Nothing I would recommend, though.
Author
Continuing to pray for you, Andrew.
And I like your perspective (I often do):”Regretting a point in the past negates the good that followed it, and that seems rather ungrateful.”