REGRETS
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing" - John Powell. We are all only human, and therefore fallible; we sometimes fail; we make mistakes, and do, or omit to do things we later regret, but the best idea is to learn from them, and resolve firmly not to repeat that mistake, then forgive ourself, and move on with life, and not get caught up in the "should have's", "ought to's" and "if only's", etc.

Live in the present, and occasionally the longer term future, rather than the past of guilt, and regret. Negative thoughts often precede negative emotional states. It's important to regularly monitor, and deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, images, impulses, or emotions, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately. Technique For Re-Programming Negative Thoughts: When you notice something negative, such as: "I can't do this/ am never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so useless/such a loser?" or even an image, emotion, or a memory; recognise that it is being generated from the negative part of your mind.

After identifying and labelling it, visualise a large, red, flashing, "STOP!" sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version.

Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method.

I'm aware of the opinion that inflicting pain doesn't prevent fear, but the intention is to reprogram, and establish a different way of thinking, by commitment to repetition. It usually takes around 25 to 40 repetitions to establish a new habit.

View http://www.wikihow.com/Special:GoogS...TF-8&q=regrets

Books: If Only: How to Turn Regret Into Opportunity by Neal J. Roese, &
Regrets: A Ten-Step Program for Living in the Present and Leaving the Past Behind by Hamilton Beazley, &
Getting Past Your Past: Finding Freedom from the Pain of Regret by Susan Wilkinson,

Escaping Toxic Guilt: Five Proven Steps to Free Yourself from Guilt for Good! by Susan Carrell, &
Good-Bye to Guilt: Releasing Fear Through Forgiveness by Gerald G. Jampolsky, &
31 Words to Create a Guilt-Free Life: Finding the Freedom to be Your Most Powerful Self - A Simple Guide to Self-Care, Balance, and Joy (39 Power Words) by Karen Bouris, &
Shame & Guilt by Ernest Kurtz,
from your bookstore, or Amazon.com

Hypnosis is merely a heightened state of suggestibility, in which you are better able to communicate with your subconscious mind. 85% of people are suggestible, to some degree, so you could either preferably seek professional hypnotherapy, or, if not an option, hypnosisdownloads.com has ones about forgiveness, overcoming feelings of guilt, and having no regrets.
John Wayne's tombstone: "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." View: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...215823AAY33jh+ for quotes on regrets.