I had not really planned on taking a trip this time
of year, and yet I found myself packing rather
hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I
knew in advance that no real good would come of it.
I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on Wish I. Had airlines.
It was an extremely short
flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check.

I chose to carry it myself
all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand
memories of what might have
been.

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the
Regret City International Airport. I say
international because people from all over the world
come to this dismal town.

"

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed
that they would be hosting
the year's most important event, the Annual Pity
Party. I wasn't going to miss
that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading
citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you know,
Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the
I Had family.

You probably know ol' Wish and his
clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present,
Missed and Lost.

The
biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are
far too many of them to count, but each one would
have a very sad story to share.

Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and
appearance. And It's Their Fault
would regale us with stories (excuses) about how
things had failed in his life, and each story would
be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't
Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this
depressing party knowing that
there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as
usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought
about all of the stories of failures brought back
from the past, it occurred to me that all of this
trip and subsequent "pity party" could be canceled by
ME!

I started to truly realize that I did not have
to be there. I didn't have to be depressed.

One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE
YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE
THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be
happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as
encouraging.

Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately
and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for
mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no
physical way to undo them.

So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of
Regret, please cancel all your reservations now.
Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting
Again.

I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent
residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myself
and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way,
you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because
the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.

GOD BLESS you in finding this great
town. If you can find it -- it's in your own heart --
please look me up. I
live on I Can Do It Street.

THOSE RASCALLY
ZAPPERS