Image taken from ‘A Man Without Qualities’

As a continuation of last week’s “You Should” post, this week’s topic focusses on the triple refrain, “I would have. I should have. I could have.” There are many variations of this, like “Why didn’t I…” but the shorter, quicker, ‘woulda, shoulda, coulda’ says it all. The order of the refrain isn’t really important… the words are interchangeable. 

It’s a rueful statement, a regret for an action not taken.

Most of us have experienced a time in our lives when we’ve chanted that chorus to ourselves. For me, when I think of those times, the action not taken was a choice — right there in front of me, present as a possibility, but for some reason, I chose to ignore it. And then went on to regret not taking that action.

There is only one response to the ‘woulda shoulda coulda’ trilogy and that is, “I didn’t.”

Just like fear, the trilogy requires acknowledgement. Look it in the eye, give it a nod, and then move on. Maybe next time you will when you should and can, but for those times that you didn’t, dwelling on a missed course of action does not help.

Make amends if necessary, back track if possible and then move on.

‘I can, I shall, I will”. Doesn’t that sound better?

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.  Your comments, questions, ideas and suggestions are always welcome.  You can comment here, or choose between Facebook, Twitter, or the contact button.  

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  I keep it short and to the point.  Topics are as wide ranging as a straight but not narrow path.