I recently received an invitation to do something I have happily done in the past. This time, however, I felt resistance, concern, obligation, and pressure, regarding saying yes, versus the excitement and enthusiasm I have usually felt.
As I considered saying yes I heard myself making excuses, becoming defensive, feeling irritable and finally becoming quite upset. As I witnessed my intense reaction I realized I was feeling all of those things because my priorities had changed. I knew this time it was not a priority for me, but I felt if I agreed to do it I would have to make it a priority (like I had happily done in the past).
Once I recognized I was trying to force myself to make something a priority that was truly not one, and I allowed myself to honor what my true priorities are, I was filled with an immense feeling of peace. I then realized I could easily say yes or no to the request because no matter what, I was going to honor the order of my priorities. So, I said "yes".
I have since come to the conclusion that the only time we have regrets in our lives is when we have not honored our true priorities. We can sometimes try and make other people's desires, earning a living doing a certain thing, or being a certain way to fit in, a priority, but forcing these priorities leads us to making decisions that are not in alignment with who we really are -- and that's how we end up on the downward spiral of regret.
LOP is taking the time to clarify and be honest with myself about what my true priorities are, and then be willing to honor them.