Over the last few months I have been able to reflect on my life and all the instances in it. I've seen some bad things happen to myself and other people around me. Things have happened to me that were so bad, so unlucky and unbelievably terrible that sometimes it made me wonder what purpose is there that I actually exist. The times that I couldn't catch a cold let alone a break, and then other times that I had a stoke of luck or genius occur that saved the day. I can't help but think sometimes that everything has a purpose. Whether you believe that or not just sit back and think about your life and how you got to where you are today. Think of your regrets and think of all the great things you've done. Think of all your worst times and your best. Think about who was there and think about who cared.
Reflecting back on my life I have done some things that I regret. Nothing major, just little things that still bothered me up until a little while ago. I've done stupid things and hurt people's feelings. I've got in fights with my best friends and said some really bad things to people I cared about just because I was mad or drunk over a completely unrelated subject. It's not all me though, people have done bad things to me and I've taken just about as many bad deeds as I've dished out. I realized that isn't the point though. The point to life isn't to make sure that you dish out as much crap as you've taken. You shouldn't fight with your friends or your family because after the fight stops and the dust settles you are still the same people. You just weren't the same people for a few moments of argument and fighting and that shouldn't get in the way of anything.
After reflecting on my own life and the lives of my friends and family I came to a realization. I realized that the only thing that matters is who we are and how we lived because the horrible truth is that we can be here one minute and gone the next. I know that it sounds clich but it is true. You have to make the best out of what you have no matter what fights, arguments or disagreements you've gotten into with your friends or your family in the past. If you sit there and have hate or contempt for something one of your friends or family did that was bad or insulting to you then you are just going to end up regretting it. Once that person is gone you forget all about how mad they made you over and argument or some stupid disagreement you had one time that led to a fight or you being mad at one another. You end up filled with regret the rest of your life because you were so busy not letting go and focusing on the good times and making new ones that you feel as if there is a great gap that you missed out on. You feel this way because it is true. You missed out on something because you couldn't let go of the bad memories even when you knew they didn't mean to be that way. Only once they are gone it's too late. You cheated yourself, you cheated that person and now there is nothing you can do about it forever. Any times you didn't hang out with them or missed an event just because you were mad at them can never come back. You finally realize this.....Once it's too late.
Don't let it get too late. We've all made mistakes drunk or sober that we know we didn't mean to say or do. The important thing to do is look past that and forgive that. Because deep down if it happened in an instance where it involved good friends or family then it wasn't meant to be some lasting hatred that just continues forever and ever. Don't let it shape your decisions and don't let it effect the outcome of a relationship because when the chips are down and you really need that person they will be there for you. They won't say "Years ago he said something crappy or we got in a scuffle over something so I don't care". The only sad thing is that a lot of people do not let go. They keep going forever being mad at your for something that just doesn't matter. I've had some if my best friends do some really bad things to me and guess what? I still consider them my best friends. If something happened to them I'd be there in a minute, but there is no reason to wait for tragedy to strike to be there. Hang out with them and do things together as much as you possibly can because one day one of you could be gone and you will never get a chance to make up for it. Time is too short to be caught up in the past, especially if it's something in the past that used to make you angry or spiteful. Last time I checked you only get one life. Make it the happiest family and friend fun filled journey you could possibly take.