Originally Posted By: Susan
"Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it is only good for wallowing in." - Katherine Mansfield
Sue


I believe this sentiment, while popular, is absoutely both wrong-headed and wrong-hearted. I find it wrong-headed in that regret conditions our behavior to aid us in future conduct that has better results in the future and that wallowing applies only to unhealthy regret. I find it wrong-hearted in that regret is a normal reaction of a caring human being and is not to be denied or resisted, but something valuable from which to learn.

I think this is about right:

Originally Posted By: chaosmagnet
Pain is the great teacher. Regret is the notes we take on what we've learned.


Edited by dweste (06/06/11 03:37 AM)