Too often, we approach Christmas and then the end of a year with regret. These can be short term (in the past 12 months) or more far reaching:

If only I had done this in the past year
If only I had said that
If only I had made a better decision when I was 20
If only I had taken that job

The list is endless. And, more importantly, it can be dangerous. Sure, it’s human to wonder what things would have been like had we made different choices. Back to the Future anyone?

Yet, and here’s the catch, it can be prideful. To not dwell richly in the moments we have now… that’s a missed opportunity. Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade, a spiritual writer from the 18th century has instructed us to understand the “sacrament of the present moment”.

In other words- be here now. Return to sender whatever gifts of regret you receive this Christmas. The present moment is much more rewarding.