On Re-Writes and Do-Overs

Okay, it seems to be more trendy to say we have no regrets (there are all kinds of famous and not-so-famous quotes about living without regrets)... and while I admire that in many ways, I kinda follow more along the Katharine Hepburn quote:

"I have many regrets, and I'm sure everyone does. The stupid things you do, you regret...if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid."

Of course, there are lots and lots of aforementioned quotes about living life without regrets, and I think that is a noble philosophy, but the reality is that we really do "stupid things" that we regret.

"Regrets... I've had a few...." (a nod to the song made famous by Sinatra)

I admit it; there are things in my life that I wish I could "re-write" or "do-over". It isn't that I don't appreciate the lessons I've learned - I really do appreciate them - but I still wish I could have some re-writes or do-overs and just write or say or do a few things a little bit differently.
Even though I know that pain and difficulties help us grow and become better; I do regret the things I've said or done that have hurt other people. And I wish that sometimes I had said or done things differently to cause myself a little less pain as well...

But I can't. And that's reality... and that's ok. I can look back and see the importance of the things I've said or done that I wish I'd said or done differently..., and I certainly appreciate them. But that doesn't mean that I don't still regret some of them. Some would say regret is too strong a word... perhaps it is. I wish I could do things with more grace at times, and I do wish I could go back and re-write or re-do some things... but I also know that I have learned a lot from my awkward and less-than-ideal comments and actions. I hope that I continue to learn and grow, and never give up trying to improve. I can't erase the past, but I can keep trying to be my best "me". Sometimes that means wanting to re-write and re-do a few things, but also trying to not regret the things I've said and done. Eh. I try.