The Problem with Inspirational Quotes

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There are no rules for life. Inspiration is elusive; it cannot be gained through a catchy phrase plastered to your wall or taped beneath your keyboard. Words can remind us of our priorities, but so-called inspirational quotes are not adequate guidelines for life- and if they are, they are only guidelines- and if considered rules, they should be broken often.

For example, it seems like there are a lot of quotes out there designed to inspire us to remove the word, “try,” from our vocabularies. If we recognize our attempts as mere attempts, we are expecting to fail, but if we say we’ll do something, we will.

So then what happens when we fail anyway (and this will happen)? Did we lie to ourselves? Is lying better than recognizing that some things might lay beyond our capabilities?

What do we tell our kids? Is trying their best not good enough anymore?

Regret

“All I know is we both share regrets…

We haven’t done this yet…

There’s nothing here we cannot change.”

-Tantric

 

Some of my friends claim that they have no regrets. I can understand that philosophy.  Regret is like worry: it changes nothing.  But I doubt that it is really a waste of energy.

There’s a concept that people tend to default to when asked philosophical questions.  The popular answer to many controversial issues is simply “It’s what makes us different from…”  Insert “animals” or “enemies” or whatever you like to complete the sentence.  In my opinion, regret is part of what makes us different.  It’s part of being human.  If that means that it’s a human flaw, then so be it.  Regardless, I don’t believe that it’s something we need to eradicate.

It’s easy to ignore our regrets. But if we truly don’t have any, then we aren’t learning anything.  Ignorance might create bliss at times, but is it a fair price to pay for it?  Without genuine introspection, we can never manifest this “greater good” and “bigger picture” that we’re always referencing.  Without recognizing and understanding our own regrets, how can we improve ourselves?

I have regrets.  I haven’t figured them all out yet, but some of them have taught me how to live better.  And that’s something that I don’t regret at all.

 

© Alexis Jenny, 2010-2011.