I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet, I
found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be
unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm
talking about my annual "Guilt Trip".

I got tickets to fly there on "WISHIHAD" airlines. It was an extremely
short flight. I got my baggage, which, I could not check. I chose to
carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand
memories of what might have been.

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City
International Airport. I say international because people from all over
the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the Last Resort
Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important
event, the Annual Pity Party.

I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns
leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the Done family,
you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had
family. You probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the
Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family
would be the Yesterday's. There are far too many of them to count, but
each one would have a very sad story to share. Then Shattered Dreams
would surely make an appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us
with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each
story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help it.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party
knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual,
I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of
failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this
trip and subsequent "pity party" could be canceled by ME!

I started to realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to
be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, "I can't change
yesterday, but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day".

I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging.
Knowing this, I left the city of Regret immediately and left no
forwarding address.

Am I sorry for the mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no
physical way to undo them.

So, if you are planning a trip to the city of Regret, please cancel all
your reservations now.

Instead, take a trip to a place called Starting Again. I liked it so
much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors,
the I Forgive Myself and the New Starts are so very helpful.

By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the
load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. You too, can find this
new town, just ask the Lord to show you the way. Now I live on ICANDOIT
Street.

-- Author Unknown

(Note - Received by e-mail - If anyone knows the author, please advise)
(We'd be happy to give the author credit for this story)