We all have regrets, which are self-imposed punishments — I see those as the pits in the sweet bowl of cherries that we call life. Some pits linger inside forever, some are throwaways after we make amends to those we love. There are dumb things we did or didn’t do, and some have been put in the wrong pew. But most are relationships where we took the wrong turn at a fork in the road. What do they all have in common? They make a person feel guilty.

I could fill a jar with pits. I could sit and stare at the jar filled with the pits, recalling my regrets, but I don’t because each pit opened a positive new window to my world when I gained new knowledge and skills. And I was able to celebrate each positive discovery, no matter how small. I never saw a pit as a failure; I saw it as an opportunity.

Yes, I am human. I err. I have regrets. Over the years, I have learned that regrets are a gift—a life lesson—that carries me on to new heights.

Life is a Bowl Full of Cherries: Learn How to Be Grateful for Your Pits

My jar of pits contains a variety of regrets. And then there are the cherries, those delicious cherries, that represent wise decisions. As the saying goes, “You win some. You lose some.” As long as the pitiful regrets cause us to take stock, they can become winners. It is not that complicated when you are mindful. Over the years, I have noticed that my perspective on regrets has changed with age, bringing more acceptance and understanding to each experience.

The pits taught me to be mindful and clear in my thoughts and judgment. Bravo, dear pits! I save you in the jar to remind me to be careful in how I handle myself in difficult situations, even when I sometimes feel lost. I try to handle each regret with my own hand, taking personal responsibility for my actions. And to focus, and to adapt to circumstances that could cause me or others confusion or emotional pain.

“I have reached a stage of empowerment, feeling mighty when I use my inner power to remove a regrettable pit from my jar. It feels almost dreamlike to reach a positive decision and learn a powerful lesson from my regret.” — Honey Good

Thank you, dear pit, for making me a wiser woman because I study my regrets. I often describe my feelings and experiences to better understand them. I ask myself why my blunder led to regret. I have found that reflecting on my regrets brings clarity and growth. What I don’t do is turn a blind eye to my mistake. Next, I prioritize until I make progress and was able to turn a poor choice into a wise one. I also recognize the importance of questioning my actions and decisions to learn from them.

Dear sweet reader, all regrets — the pits — are not negatives if you think about them as I do; each pit of regret will propel you to new heights. I have struggled with regrets in the past, but facing them has helped me grow. Those pits of regret can transform your life if you see the situation for what it is and act appropriately.

Pits come in all forms of lessons to be learned, from small regrets to larger ones.

The Wisdom of How to Handle Rejection

Introduction to Gratitude

Gratitude is at the very heart of human nature, a gentle reminder to savor the sweetness of life even when it’s not just a bowl of cherries. The idiom “life is just a bowl of cherries” paints a picture of hope and wonder, encouraging us to focus on the good, even as we face the ordinary struggles that come with each new day. When we tend to our thoughts with gratitude, we realize that every page of our story—whether it’s March or December, a warm July afternoon or a quiet winter evening—holds moments worth cherishing.

Think of the simple joys: the laughter of children playing under a tree, the comfort of reading a good book, the music of a favorite song filling your house, or the sweetness of cherries savored on a summer day. These are the things that make life wonderful, the little blessings that color our world and fill our hearts with love. As we move through the years, it’s easy to get caught up in the struggles and forget to enjoy the present, but gratitude invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

The classic song “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” reminds us through its lyrics and melody to laugh, to live, and to find joy in the moment. Its words echo the definition of gratitude: recognizing the good, even when life isn’t perfect. Whether you’re a writer penning your thoughts, a poet finding meaning in the ordinary, or simply someone savoring a warm bowl of cherries on a chilly day, gratitude can transform your experience and fill your life with light.

Research and books on gratitude show that taking time to appreciate the little things—like the color of the sky, the taste of something sweet, or the kindness of a friend—can improve our mental state, strengthen our relationships, and help us move forward with hope. It’s about learning to see the world through a lens of abundance, realizing that even in the midst of struggles, there is plenty to be thankful for.

So, as you turn the page on each new day, I invite you to tend to your thoughts, nurture your relationships, and savor the sweetness of life. Let gratitude be the music that plays in the background of your story, guiding you through the ups and downs with a sense of wonder and joy. By embracing gratitude, you can create a life that is truly just a bowl of cherries—filled with love, laughter, and the hope that each new year, each new experience, brings something good.

Are You Looking Forward?

Living with regret is daunting. It’s better to face the music and dance your way out of it. The past is the past. It will never be repeated. The present is a gift, and if you are able to learn from the past pits of regret, your present will become “your” bowl of cherries! Ask me; I know. It takes hard work to overcome regrets and move forward, but the effort is worth it.

In other words, stop repeating your regrets. Discipline yourself. Make apologies. Delete people in your life who do not bring you joy. Reach for a passion you have shelved and give it a try. Stop fearing fear and live outside your box. Leave behind negative influences or mindsets that hold you back. Oh! I could go on and on. You know what I mean. I want you to have a life filled with cherries! Not everyone will agree with this idiom or advice, but find what works for you and embrace it.

I am an old soul but a young soul. Why? I take my licks and do my darndest to dance through them. Whatever it takes, I do it. Because I am wise enough to know that regrettable pits are a burden that take their toll on a woman’s life. Sometimes it can be hard to move forward, but putting in the work makes all the difference.

Ending the cycle of regret can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life.

I DON’T LOOK BACK — I LOOK FORWARD — AND SO SHOULD YOU.

I cannot change what was, but I can change what is. And so can you. I have reached a stage of empowerment, feeling mighty when I use my inner power to remove a regrettable pit from my jar. It feels almost dreamlike to reach a positive decision and learn a powerful lesson from my regret. It is a sigh of relief, packed with peace and energy. You can feel what I feel, too.

Sit down in a quiet place when you are feeling calm and collected and think about the regrets that linger; that play havoc with your daily life. It’s the pits, right?

You are the master of your fate. The ball is in your court. It is up to you to take the bull by the horns and shift your situation from pit to cherry. You are capable of doing this.

Let’s face it, sweet reader, when you have to figure out how to dismantle your regrets, you are in a private battle.

How to Reap Your Bowl of Cherries

I suggest spending some time alone. It will help you understand your feelings. You should not depend on the comfort of others because you have to live with your own answer. The quiet of the day or night when you have the solace to think will be your friend—not others. Taking time to rest and reflect is essential for processing your emotions and moving forward.

No one knows you better than you know yourself. Have faith in your ability to do whatever it takes to turn a regret into a positive lesson. I have heard from others that sharing and listening to advice about regret can offer new perspectives and comfort.

Regret is an awful feeling that you feel in the pit of your stomach. It arises because you believe there was something you did or should have done differently to avoid a negative outcome.

How do you rid yourself of regret?

• Make amends: If possible, apologize and try to repair any damage caused by your actions.
• Journal your feelings about the situation: Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you process them and move on. Be sure to include the date when you write, so you can track your progress over time.
• Understand you are human: Everyone makes mistakes. Forgive yourself for your imperfections.
• Take responsibility: Acknowledge your role in the situation.
• Stop feeling guilty: Guilt is unproductive. Focus on learning from your mistakes.
• Forgive yourself: Let go of the self-blame and negativity.

Research and books on gratitude show that focusing on what you have, rather than what you lack, can help you move forward. Consider reading books or articles on overcoming regret to gain new insights and strategies.

Move on to the positive forces in your life — that full bowl of sweet, delicious cherries — while simultaneously trusting yourself to do better in the future. After overcoming regret, you may feel truly blessed to have another chance to grow and enjoy life. Set boundaries that prevent you from dwelling on past regrets. Idioms like “life is a bowl full of cherries” can help shift your perspective and remind you to focus on the good. Now, you can eat the sweet cherries of life, savoring each moment instead of being stuck in the past. You can achieve this by trusting your ability to make better choices going forward.

What’s a situation in which you’ve turned pits into empowerment? Tell me your story in the comments.

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