Regret. There's still time

The As I get older, the reality of seeing the end becomes more real; especially since I have reached my most recent milestone...50. Thinking tonight about the word "regret" makes me ponder the past and peer into the future.

I've really tried to live my life with little regret. Being imperfect means I haven't accomplished this; not 100%. But I really had to think about things to jot down those moments where I had personal remorse; internal regret. Moments like some of those silly fights that Elizabeth (my wife) and I had. Going to bed without saying "I love you" Not listening intently to my children because my mind (heart) was at work.

But off with the negative, here is a list (not exhaustive list) of things I don't regret.
I don't regret telling my girlfriend at the age of 17 that I was interested in her as a person and not what she could provide for me. You don't have to read between the line on this on. This decision created a relationship that had a foundation that was built to last.
I don't regret putting God in the center of my marriage. We found out early on, the closer each of us got to God, the closer we got to each other. We called it our God Triangle. Picture that.
I don't regret having children in my mid-twenties. It makes for the entrance into my fifties footloose and fancy free.
I don't regret spending money on trips to the Rockies with my family when they were young. We spent multiple Christmas' in Steamboat Colorado. We would pack our little Christmas tree in the suit case and place it on the dining room table of the condo we would rent. These are memories that I reach for all the time. I go there often
I don't regret encouraging a strong relationship with my children and their grandparents. Truly, their investment in my children have paid dividends in their lives and ours.
I don't regret the two year journey trying to find Elizabeth's birth mother. The journey created relationships we both can't imagine not having in our life today.
I don't regret the travel Liz and I have been blessed to enjoy. We talk often about some of the wild
adventures these travels have provided. Together we have made every effort to embrace the different cultures of the world, from South America to Europe, Africa to Italy, Turkey to Greece. I really encourage you to break outside of your comfort zone regarding travel. You won't regret it.
I don't regret the friendships I've made. My friends have enriched my life. Those of you who are close to me know exactly who I'm talking about. Some of you I've known since I was a child, some of you I have branded cattle with, others I've floated the majestic rivers charted by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark,  others I have filled spreadsheets full of real estate transactions with.
I don't regret spending over 7 weeks  of our lives on mission with Operation Smile and participating in some small way of helping a child with a cleft lip or palette look into a mirror with a new complete smile. 
I don't regret one minute in the duck blind or fishing boat with my son, whether the temperature was 5 degrees in a 4X6 box in the Pamlico Sound or seated in a boat getting a Teva Strap tan.
Should I continue....the thought causes my mind to go into marathon mode. 
So the question is, is there anything I regret I haven't done, seen or participated in. Yes, Yes, Yes. 
The human heart has an insatiable appetite for more, new, something else. I'm not sure if I should say "I'm guilty of that", or simply " yes...that's me."  I think this insatiable appetite is the seed for where many of our goals come from. So I guess the key to a healthy spiritual and productive life lies around how you direct your appetite. 
When I'm 80, I hope I'm able to say, I shared Christ with my friends; not with a fire hydrant but with a gentle spirit. I hope I'm able to say "I've taken care of my body (health)" I hope I'm able to inspire my grandchildren on a life filled with adventure; understanding what is truly the most important things.

This was a good exercise for me to jot these ideas down. Its a reminder to live everyday with intention, creating goals that reflect the goodness of a spiritual king. Like I said, we are imperfect...so Ill end by saying "Life with very little regrets".....that's the good life!