No Regrets by Andrew

No Regrets by Andrew - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

If I had to choose my senior yearbook quote today, it would be “No regrets”. As simple as that is, it is something that I try to live by. It simply means once you have made a choice, take pride in that decision and stick to it. It also means that we all need to stop dwelling on the past when there is nothing we can do to fix it.

It seems like in the world today, there are so many people who make decisions and then go on to regret those decisions and say things like, “I wish I had never done that.” Whether it be class choices in school, choosing friends, or even things as simple as where to go for lunch, people of all ages regret their decisions. This is not the way to live. Nobody focused on the past can ever really enjoy the present. Everyone makes bad decisions, but those that choose to dwell on them are letting that bad decision hurt them repeatedly rather than once or twice. Move on!

I am not in any way suggesting that it is okay to make mistakes that hurt anyone, including oneself, without making proper repairs. I am suggesting that everyone makes mistakes – everyone! If everyone makes mistakes, why should we be so hard on ourselves when we do? Make amends and get over it!

I have also found that while I live by the slogan “No regrets,” I have found myself examining my situation more slowly and making better decisions overall. It is immensely easier to have no regrets when good decisions are made.

Overall, living with no regrets is not how it sounds. It’s not implying that “you only live once,” but rather it is making smarter decisions and getting over mistakes faster. Furthermore, living with no regrets helps us to stop looking inward and rather look outward for opportunities to serve our peers. I hope that others believe this quote accurately describes me. I try hard to move quickly past mistakes and focus on service and living in the moment. When we live with no regrets, joy and happiness is so much easier to find. If everyone lived by my future senior yearbook quote, “No regrets,” the world would truly be a better place.