"For many, the weight of the past is not what was but rather what wasn’t."

We often get hung up on our past, but it's not always the things that happened that weigh us down. More often, it's the things that didn't happen—the missed opportunities, the 'what ifs', the dreams that never took flight. Think about it. We tend to replay scenarios in our heads, not just about our mistakes, but about the chances we never took. It's these unfulfilled desires and paths not taken that haunt us more than any misstep we actually made.

So, why do we obsess over what could have been? It's human nature to dream and to imagine different outcomes. It’s easy to look back and think, "If only I had done this differently." This quote speaks to that universal feeling of regret over the things we didn't do rather than the things we did. It’s about those nagging 'what ifs' that keep us up at night.

Let's take a real-life example. Picture someone who wanted to be a writer. They had the talent, the ideas, the passion. But life got in the way—maybe they had to work a job they didn’t love to pay the bills, or they were too scared to take the plunge. Years go by, and they find themselves stuck in a routine, always wondering what might have been if they'd just tried. They regret not the life they lived, but the life they didn't pursue.

So, how can you apply this idea? Simple. Don't let fear or doubt stop you from chasing your dreams. Take that leap, even if it's scary. Regret over things left undone is a heavy burden to carry. Whether it’s a career change, telling someone how you feel, or moving to a new city—go for it. You don't want to look back years from now wishing you’d been braver.

Imagine you’re at a high school reunion. Everyone’s catching up, sharing stories of their lives. One friend talks about how they moved to a different country, learned a new language, and met incredible people. Another talks about finally starting that business they always dreamed of. Then there’s you, feeling a pit in your stomach because all you can think about are the dreams you didn't pursue. The book you never wrote, the adventure you never took, the risks you never dared to take.

It's not about having no regrets—it’s about minimizing the ones that come from inaction. You might fail, sure. But at least you’ll know you tried. That’s something you can be proud of, no matter the outcome. So next time you’re faced with a chance to do something you’ve always wanted, think about this: do you want to wonder 'what if' for the rest of your life? Or do you want to look back and know you gave it your all, no matter what happened?

Remember, the weight of the past is heaviest when it’s filled with things we didn't do. Lighten that load by taking chances and living the life you truly want. You owe it to yourself.