Hi Richard,
Among things that happen in our daily life, how many are happy things and how many are regrets? What do you think? People say that on average, out of ten things, only one or two are happy, eight or nine things are sad. So, will it be important for us to learn how to handle regrets?
Examples of regrets in life are loss of loved ones, health crisis, business failure, etc. It could also include not getting stuff you want, disagreements with your parents, betrayed by your friends, failure in examinations, etc. When regrets come, think about the four basic steps listed below.
1. Face it (面對). Don't escape. Don't think that it will automatically go away after times. If it would, it is not really regret.
2. Accept it (接受). It is too late to put complain on your luck or fate. If it has already happened, it is part of you.
3. Resolve it (處理). Work hard to overcome or recover from the damages.
4. Put it down (放下). Put down your emotion and relax.
For a good practise, one needs tremendous amount of courage and wisdom. In the New Year, I wish you happy and successful (常想一二, 做好八九).
With love, Patrick