setup: [E-Mail Ministry] Leaving the City of Regret

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LEAVING THE CITY OF REGRET

I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet, I
found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant
and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about
my annual "Guilt Trip".

I got tickets to fly there on "WISHIHAD" airlines. It was an extremely short
flight. I got my baggage, which, I could not check. I chose to carry it
myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what
might have been.

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International
Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to
this dismal town. As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that
they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity
Party.

I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading
citizens would be there. First, there would be the Done family, you know,
Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You
probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be
present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There
are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story
to share. Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It's
Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had
failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame
Me and I Couldn't Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing
that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became
very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures
brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and
subsequent "pity party" could be canceled by ME!

I started to realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be
depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, "I can't change yesterday,
but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day".

I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging.
Knowing this, I left the city of Regret immediately and left no forwarding
address.

Am I sorry for the mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no
physical way to undo them.

So, if you are planning a trip to the city of Regret, please cancel all your
reservations now.

Instead, take a trip to a place called Starting Again. I liked it so much
that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I
Forgive Myself and the New Starts are so very helpful.

By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load
is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. You too, can find this new town,
just ask the Lord to show you the way. Now I live on ICANDOIT street.

-- Author Unknown

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