What If or What Now?

I am going to call my notes "rants" instead of blogs. I think that is a more appropriate name for a one sided conversation, and I wont have to admit that I wrote a blog. Or I could just call them sermons, since I am sure this will sound kind of preachy. Either way if you don't want to hear me wax philosophical overt your eyes now.
This note is not directed at any one specific person. It is the culmination of thoughts gathered from conversations with multiple people. If you feel this is directed towards you then you are probably correct, but not alone. =)
Recently I have heard many people lamenting decisions they have made in the past. Yeah, this is normal for almost all of us. But when the thoughts about the past consume every aspect of your present there is an issue.
Our memories can cause us many emotions, all of which I believe to be good, even the upsetting ones. These recollections should be great reminders of our successes and failures, used as guides to avoid future failures and to repeat patterns of triumph. Depressing, upsetting, and frightening memories should be used to help us more fully appreciate the happy, fulfilling, and peaceful times. And our memories of loves lost or chances not taken should be constant reminders to appreciate those we have more often and to not be afraid to experience all life has in store for us.
However, I am concerned for those that seek to change their past. You can not go back in time and change what has already occurred. *Side note: Time travel is not possible, otherwise someone from the future would have already come back to let us know. =) * Living your life constantly looking towards your past will cause you to miss all the wonderful events in your present. Let the past be what it is intended, a reminder, and move forward with your life. Take advantage of today, or tomorrow you will just have one more day you regret. Instead of thinking "What if...." think "What now...". What can you do today to make today better? Yesterday happened, it isn't going to happen again, deal with it. If you are not satisfied with the way your life has turned out, then change it. It's your life, own it. You are the only one that can make it better. You are also the one that is making it worse focusing on the "What ifs" instead of the "What nows". You may never have the same possessions you had before, you may never have the same opportunities as you did before, you may never experience the same joys you did before. But if you do not focus on now you will definitely miss out on new possessions, opportunities and experiences. Change is not always bad, change is just always different.
Ok, soap box has been crushed. These thoughts are shared out of concern and love for anyone that wants/needs to hear them. If you have taken offense then you have misunderstood, and for that I apologize.

Anyone who limits her vision to memories of yesterday is already dead.
Lily Langtry