I had a dream last night that I was in a car accident. I was pinned inside my car which had flipped over on the side of the road. No one had arrived at the scene and as I waited for help to arrive I realized two things. One, my injuries would not allow me to live much longer. Two, I was okay with that.

Being a dream, I did not have to deal with the reality of pain or anxiety that would normally occur in such a situation. So I was able to peacefully focus on reviewing my life…what I had done, what I was currently doing, and what I still wanted to do. I discovered that I have lived a good life (so far) and if things were to end today I would not feel cheated or deprived. Not just in the dream world, but in reality as well.

• I have grown from a child to an adult.
• I have played, competed, and worked.
• I have failed and succeeded at numerous endeavors.
• I have had family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and partners.
• I have been single, married, and divorced.
• I have owned my own home.
• I have made investments, been in debt, and gotten out of debt.
• I have discovered our world from the smallest forms of life to the largest structures of our universe.
• I have contemplated the beginning of time and the nature of man.
• I have studied the great philosophers as well as the Sunday comics.
• I have escaped into make-believe worlds and delved into real-life stories.
• I have traveled across much of our country, from Florida to Montana, from New York to Nevada.
• I have flown in private planes, sailed on boats, been chauffeured in limousines, and crossed rugged terrain on an ATV.
• I have eaten in 5 star restaurants and shaken hands with famous people.
• I have rappelled off towers and climbed rock walls.
• I have been injured and I have healed.
• I have made people laugh and made people cry.
• I have taught what I know to others.
• I have planned for the future and throw caution to the wind.
• I have been both the cool guy and the nerd.
• I have discussed morality, spirituality, society, and politics.

In other words, I have lived as much as anyone has and do not feel an emptiness inside. If this were my last day on earth, I would feel comfortable that I have not squandered my life away. I have no regrets.

I have heard the phrase, “If you have no regrets, you haven’t really lived,” but I don’t agree with it. I believe this is just a sentiment to either pacify those with regrets or rationalize those with wild lifestyles. I think you can live a full life without racking up a series of bad choices that will haunt you later on in life.

Would I do anything differently if I could? Yes, I would change everything. Not to correct mistakes I’ve made, but to make new experiences. I’ve already lived through these…why do them again?

If you have guilt or regrets, you are living in the past. If you have fears or anxiety, you are living in the future. If you have neither, you are living in the present.