At a job interview (Photo credit: Arroz y Asado)
Michelle’s prompt today:
You have the choice to erase one incident from your past, as though it never happened. What would you erase and why?
I would erase the ignorance and arrogance of youth and not miss the job interview that someone set up for me at a radio station. I was in university at the time, and thought that success would come easily. If I had made that interview, secured the job in broadcasting, my life would have been different.
The question is: would it have been any better? Would securing that position mean that I might not meet my husband? Who knows? Maybe it was supposed to happen that way.
I went into print rather than broadcasting, though I did have a stint at a radio station as a stringer for a year or so. Success is in the mind of the beholder. Suffice to say that I would like to be more successful. But, in many ways, my life turned out the way I wanted it to. I am still working on my dreams, but as an eternal late-bloomer I am sure my “ship will come in”—here is hoping it doesn’t spring a leak.
Bliss is realizing that what could have been– was not for a reason. What do you think?
On the Homefront 
Oh, I agree! One way or another, we will get where we are supposed to be. Once we realize this and know that perhaps, at that time, we didn’t need to be there, we will be much more blissful. Of course, that is not to say that we should stop reaching for our goals, just that we may need to be a little more patient with the journey. 🙂
I agree with you — I cannot help but think that what happens to us, happens for a reason–though I must admit, a few things that have happened to me are truly puzzling
I did the radio thing for about six years and trust me, you’re not missing as much as you think. That’s probably not true though, it was most likely the people/station I worked with. I used to believe if I could go back and take this or that away and now, I don’t know. I am really beginning to truly know and like who I am now so if I took away something I went through that was painful, would I be the same me? Would I have met hubby because if I didn’t experience this or that, would I have needed to meet him? There are so many paths in which our lives can go down — but maybe they all lead to the same place. I don’t know, Lou Ann, I’m getting way too heavy for your thought-provoking post.
I guess I wish I’d gone to school for what I’d wanted to — a degree in Creative Writing/English. I instead opted for Marketing/Business because that seemed better in terms of getting a better paying job. The thing is I can still do that. The years are going to go by anyway!
you bring up some excellent points — I do not think we can second guess our choices–and there are still so many paths open
If things had been different, I would not have my two beautiful daughters, and so the path I trod is worth it.
mine too! You have narrowed it down to what is truly important
It’s hard to pick because if you are happy with “now” , but had gone the other path, the “now” wouldn’t be here.
true — I am happy with the now–I was just answering Michelle’s prompt
Wow. Truly something to ponder. At least, this is how we learn.
considering both sides of the coin is a learning process
It’s interesting to wonder why our life goes in one direction and not the other. What invisible forces move us this way or that. Did you know that I worked at a radio station for six months once, too, after working at a daily newspaper? And then life turned unexpectedly toward bookkeeping and taxes and finances. Who would have thunk?
that is quite a turn — I am a writer but keep the books (in my rather strange fashion) for my husband’s company
I guess I cannot really explain my own regrets right now because I have no real direction or change in my life yet – but interesting concept 😀
Cheers
CCU
Regret is a strong word–it was just a memory of an opportunity lost–perhaps for good reason
I think I’m on the path I am supposed to be, but I do wonder about the what ifs, interesting question Lou.
we all wonder about the whatifs–
“My life turned out the way I wanted it to” is really all there is. Cheers.
thank you for picking up on that — and cheers to you and Piper — I bet she and Sissy will have no regrets
As a fellow late bloomer, I always have hope that the future will bring something more. And so far it always has.
has not failed us yet–late bloomers unite!
If I could keep my same children, then I would NOT have married my husband. I married someone who was, in his own words, “damaged,” and only found out many years into our marriage. He has never been capable of loving himself, so how could he love another? The fact that I spent 30 years in a relationship with him, always hoping that love would conquer all, makes me very sad.
Hopefully, someday, before it’s too late, I’ll find my Mr. wonderful – someone who loves openly and easily. That’s my new dream. 🙂
(and if I do, I want my blogging friends to come to the wedding.) xoxo
I think the fact that you hung in there for 30 years says something wonderful about you–you did not give up on him–he gave up on him
You will find Mr. Wonderful, of that I am sure, and I am starting to save up now, so I can fly down to your wedding
Lou Ann, thank you for that kind comment. xoxo
kind and true
It does blow my mind how one seemingly insignificant decision can set you down a certain path in life. If I didn’t go out on that blind double date 15 years ago (and I almost didn’t) my two kids wouldn’t be here right now.
it is amazing to think about it–if I had not moved back to my hometown I would not have married the boy I had a crush on in high school–and there would be no Adam and Tyler — of that rather forced decision (I had run out of money) I am glad
I completely agree. When I was in middle school, my family was about to make a major move to another country when things happened and we ended up staying where we were. If we had moved, I would have gone to different schools, made different friends, and who knows where I would be right now? I really do think things happen (or don’t) for a reason and like someone else said, we eventually end up where we’re supposed to be I think.
that is the perfect way to look at it — that we (eventually) end up where we are supposed to be — that is how I look at it too
I think if you’re happy for the most part with your life it’s easier to say that what could have been, would not be hard to accept….but if not I would suppose that you would constantly be saying ‘if only’…….Diane
“if only” would be a terrible way to live —
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I always think that I can learn from the past, but that it’s not really worth worrying about “what ifs.” I never can even really picture what my life would be like today if it had gone in different directions years ago.
I know, we are better off to make the life we are living the best we can
What is meant to happen is exactly what will… not my rule, the universe’s.. just keep those positive, affirmative thoughts going.. what you send out is returned 🙂
I best be sending out better messages!
I have made one too many mistakes in my life. I won’t go into them. But I will say, I wouldn’t change them. Yes they caused pain and suffering for all, however, I am who I am today because of my journey. I like me now. couldn’t say that back then.
I know, I agree with you that we should own our regrets–we had to learn the hard way for it to matter
We’ll never know how our lives could have been if we’d made different choices. I have absolutely no regrets at this stage in my life, although In the past I have occasionally wondered about the alternatives.
I am going to worry about my present and future choices and not past — no regrets
Good insight, I never thought about it before, My life did not turn out the way I had planned, but it did turn out better! 😉
that is a good thing!
There are many things I regret. A lot. But whenever I sit and think about it, my thoughts always come back to my irritating teenager, and his habit of leaving dirty socks all over the house, and I CANNOT wish anything another way. Not one single minute. Because bliss is having my kiddo, dirty socks and smelly room and all.
love your atttitude – the dirty socks mean he is alive and well and kicking (or at least walking)
It’s a matter of not missing something, or someone rather. That may or may not have been better but I would at least like to know 🙂
I guess we make our choices and the roads not taken remain a mystery–or we take them later
That should have been …. rather someone…. Ok It made sense in my head.