Letting Go Of Past Decisions

It’s not easy to admit mistakes. Sometimes poor judgement is used or decisions were made without enough information. Or perhaps emotions got the best of you and clouded your perception. Regardless of the scenario, it’s admirable to admit that you were wrong.
 
Each day you make an endless amount of choices. Most are intuitive with not much thought process involved. Complex decisions require more time, energy, and patience. But how many times has your patience been replaced with impulse? This is what leads to questionable choices.
 
While most situations are not life threatening or mission critical, there’s still a tendency to completely misfire on intended outcomes. In all honestly, let’s face it, there are times when “you truly blew it.” But sometimes, the only way you learn is by making mistakes and gaining from the experience. In many cases, you’ll come out ahead!
 
I’ve always believed that decisions shall be based on facts not emotions, but this is easier said than done. I’ll admit, there are moments when I’ve ignored my own advice. It’s easy to be blinded by excitement, opportunities, and prospects. However, the reality is that sometimes things just don’t work out like you planned.
 
It was ten years ago that I made the decision to leave my anti-money laundering job in Chicago and relocate to Phoenix. I loved my job and the power I held. But my position had peaked, the company was on the verge of being sold, and the prospects of starting a family became real. Phoenix afforded me the opportunity to work with my father and learn a new trade. It was exciting. It was emotional. I believed that relocation was the right thing for us. I missed warning signs due to my desires and emotions. Although my wife, Cory was onboard, there was a part of her that didn’t want to go. She supported me and my decision, but there was still an element overlooked. An element that I never even considered. The facts were there, I just flat out missed it.
 
A few years prior, Cory was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a form of brain cancer. Although she made a strong recovery and all scans indicated the cancer was gone, there may have been a remote possibly of a return. Yet, I relocated us for an opportunity I thought was in the best interest not realizing that one very important aspect… Doctors.
 
When Cory began having issues after our daughter was born, I tried to get the doctors in Phoenix to do scans, but there were delays in getting appointments as these doctors weren’t her primary doctors. By the time we were able get an appointment, it was too late.
 
Looking back this week I think about the “what ifs” and how did I get caught up in the excitement and emotions to even consider the associated with a return. There will always be a part of me what wonders if we never relocated, would Cory’s primary doctors pinpointed a return earlier, ultimately saving her life? I’ll never know the answer. Neither will my daughter. It’s something that I take with me for the rest of my life. 
 
Life is how we grow and learn from decisions. The choices we make enable us to move on. Experiences remind us of the past, emotions distort the future. What’s in-between is reality. Facts help us sort that out. 
 
Stick to the facts and “keep those feet moving.”