“I've got a long list of real good reasons
for all the things I've done … And I could
cry for the time I've wasted, but that's a waste of time and tears,
and I know just
what I'd change if went back in time somehow,
but there's nothing I can do about it
now.”— Willie Nelson
I am always writing about RVUs and sequestration, and the Affordable Health Care Act, debits and credits — serious topics.
Today’s topic is different. Let’s talk about something fun — a different type of column. Today is Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday. Maybe we should have had him come to the TTUHSC School of Medicine and talk about geriatrics. How many other 80 year olds spend 200 nights a year riding on a bus to perform to huge crowds? In fact, I wonder how Nelson remembers the words to all of his songs. But, he does. He’s a true Texas legend.
His philosophy, to the extent the above referenced song catches it, makes sense. We can all rationalize our actions. As we age we examine some of the reasons we did things and find, well, maybe some of what we did does not represent our best decision making. In theory, as least, we all should learn from our mistakes and most of us are subject to some regrets.
But, what he says next in the song is the part that I find most therapeutic: “there’s nothing I can do about it now.” So, we live and learn and always strive to do better tomorrow than we did today. To learn from our mistakes is a good thing. To put them behind us and press on is another good thing. And, who knows, maybe we will all be going strong at 80. Good mental hygiene, eh? Accept the past and be excited about tomorrow.