Joshua N'Gon: Last Prince of Alkebulahn.
Here's what they don't tell you about regret: it's not just about the paths not taken – it's about the identities not claimed. When
strategist Robert Greene talks about the world assigning us roles, he's really talking about the world trying to cast us in its play without checking if we can even act. But here's the plot twist: the most interesting characters are always the ones who break character.
You know what is frustrating? Discovering regrets true nature later on in life. Every time regret showed up, I fed it and gave it energy. The regret of not
speaking up? That was my voice, demanding to be heard. The regret of playing it safe? That was my courage wanting to assert itself.
I know you're not here for pretty metaphors alone. You want practical magic. So here's the spell I've been crafting: When regret shows up, use it as your personal GPS. When you feel that familiar ache of "what if," don't ignore it; take action towards that thing and break through.
I learned this the hard way. Every time I tried to fit into what family, friends, or society wanted, I felt like I was wearing somebody else's skin. It wasn't just uncomfortable – it was suffocating. The monster of regret wasn't the fear of failing at writing; it was the certainty of succeeding at being someone else.
Here's the counterintuitive truth I've discovered:
Sometimes, the path that seems most likely to create regret – the uncertain one, the one that makes people look at you sideways – is precisely the path that will keep regret at bay. Because regret doesn't come from failure. It comes from never giving your truth a chance to speak.
You don't have to quit your job tomorrow or blow up your life. Start small. Create pockets of authenticity. Write that weird story. Take that dance
class. Speak up in that meeting. You're building armour against future regret every time you honour your truth.
Remember this: The monster of regret grows strongest in the soil of conformity. It feeds on our silent 'yes' and our swallowed truths. But here's the beautiful thing – it can't survive in the light of authentic action. Even small steps toward your truth make that monster shrink.
So, my people, what truth are you hiding? What version of you is waiting in the wings? The stage is yours, and the monster of regret can only thrive if you feed it.
Don't.
Until next week, Gentle Reader.
Peace, love and power.
