Some days I can’t help but look back at my life and have regrets – about poor choices and missed opportunities. It’s hard also to not compare, although I’m well aware of how that’s no good. Learning to adopt an attitude of gratitude is what has saved me from getting depressed. Now it gets easier to see how life makes ‘sweet honey from old failures’.
Sweet Honey From Old Failures
I loved this poem when I came across it a few months ago and just had to share it here.
Last Night As I Was Sleeping
(by Antonio Machado, with translation by Robert Bly)
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.
If our guilt, remorse or regret – call it what name you will, is causing us pain, isn’t it time to do something about it?
I’ve often sat back and seen how my bad choices when admitted and surrendered to the mighty Universe, have been turned into pathways for good. I do believe that all things work together for good, if only we let them!
Have your old failures turned into sweet honey? Have you allowed them to?
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What a lovely poem to illustrate a powerful thought. It is only when we surrender and accept our failures can we move on . Very often people say that they don’t regret anything which I find is not entirely honest. Is it possible that all that we do is exactly how it should have been? I doubt it . It requires great honesty Corinne to admit regrets . More power to you
Regrets, we all have. Wallowing in them and allowing them to rule our present would be bad. Thanks for sharing, Sunita.
That is such a beautiful thought, Corinne. Loved the poem too. I shall try and and incorporate it into my life. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it resonated with you, Mayuri.
Beautiful poem Corinne. I learned a lot from my mistakes but i always try to forget my failures. Iam not sure if i got sweet honey but i try my best to only take lessons and forget my failures.
I understand, Ramya. Each of us do what works for us!
In my case, this is oddly timely. Funny how God/The Universe works that way. Thanks for a good post.
I know how that works out for me too, Anne. The Universe brings us what we need in such a timely fashion, doesn’t it?
Regrets are a part of growing up and growing wise .But letting them spoil my present is not on the agenda. I like turning things around to the best of the situation. That I think is sweet honey for me. Lovely thoughts .
Yes, my past regrets about my failures turned into sweet honey today. Thanks for inspiring and motivating me with your positive posts, Corinne !!!
Yeah. That regret or grief eats through one so easily at times. It’s not easy to let go, and it takes its time, but I do try to let go sooner than later, and take what lessons I can from it. A lovely poem, and I love the way it ended. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
I love this poem Corinne! Thanks so much for sharing it. Old mistakes, when we can surrender then instead of beating ourselves up over them, can indeed turn into beautiful lessons and open new doorways for us. That’s part of how I began my art journey – by learning from old mistakes!
I love this post. I find it so encouraging to see how everyone has regrets! Sometimes I feel as if anyone that could see inside of me would reject me for all the mistakes I’ve made! And yes, I totally agree that we have to acknowledge them, but they shouldn’t be allowed to rule our present. Thank you Corinne! Common Saying starting with D.
Oh I have made my fair share of mistakes and have regrets for some of them too. I’ve learned to use these mistakes as stepping stones and try to learn from them. It is difficult, no doubt about that, but once we have moved past whatever was bitter, we begin to truly savour the honey and its sweetness life has to offer. 🙂
I know people who will spend their whole lives thinking and discussing about what went wrong in their life.The difference can only be brought about with being grateful for the learnings which the wrongs made us go through and acceptance of our mistakes.Acceptance, as I have discovered, is the key to healing in addition to practicing gratitude. I loved the poem especially for the last 2 lines. I have God in my heart.
Acceptance and gratitude are key. And yes, I do believe our hearts are the only abode of God!
Its been long I have been here. Life through my bioscope was hacked and the world seems crashing. Its good to be back. Yes, I believe that everything happens for good. No matter how we resist the change. Failures always turned into honey.
What a beautiful piece of poetry. Thank you for sharing Corinne
Actually I try not to look back and live in regret as I feel each experience makes us what we are today, in the present. I believe in looking forward. And I think that really helps me live life more positively. We all learn from our past mistakes and accepting them graciously without being defeated is key to life. But we are human and we can never be perfect, so I’m sure we falter.
Think when I was younger I had regrets not anymore.
http://natashamusing.com/2017/05/a-tryst-with-the-clouds-and-the-rolling-hills/