Quotes of the Day 46: Don’t Regret

Aug '24 (edited) • Self Improvement & Motivation

Quote 1: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” - William James

Quote 2: “Your regrets aren’t what you did, but what you didn’t do. So I take every opportunity. “ - Cameron Diaz, The Holiday

William James was born on January 11th, 1842, and died on August 26th, 1910. William James was a philosopher and psychologist who led the pragmatism and functionalism movements. William was the son of Henry James who also had philosophical interests that led him to the theology of Emanuel Swedenborg. Henry’s interest in philosophy helped to lead William into his interests in philosophy with a very intellectual atmosphere. James tried to study art until he grew tired of the course and went to the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University. James learned medicine, went to Amazon with a naturalist, and then went to Germany in 1867-1868 to study with physicist and physiologist Hermann von Helmholtz who created the law for the conservation of energy. James was also reading the psychology and philosophy of Charles Renouvier. In 1872, James was appointed to be an instructor of physiology until 1876. By 1890, James published The “Principles of Physcology” which would be a textbook of monumental achievement from James’s research. In 1898, James’s lecture at the University of California formulated the basic theory of pragmatism with philosophical conceptions and practical results. James’s philosophies were reflected in the new physics studied in the 1900s with Charles Peirce, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, and Niels Bohr. I’ve skipped over a lot of James’s accomplishments and even though his knowledge may be dated, all of it was still significant.

James’s quote, in its simplicity, explains that what we do today may not feel like it makes a difference. And you are wrong. It does make a difference and recognizing that is taking your first step to succeeding in whatever goals you have set for yourself. Everything you do has an impact, but you won’t recognize that unless you understand that everything you do makes a difference. Keep on making a difference in your every action.

The Holiday is a romantic comedy film released on November 29, 2006. The movie follows dual protagonists, Iris and Amanda. Iris is in love with a man who is already going to marry another woman. Amanda is living with a man who has been unfaithful to her. Despite never having met before and living 6000 miles apart, the two women find themselves in the same spot. The two switch homes for the holiday to get away from their problems. Iris moves into Amanda’s house in Los Angeles, California in much sunnier and warmer weather. Amanda moves into Iris’s house in the English countryside which is covered in layers of snow. The two have a surprising romantic twist of fate as they each find new romance in their swapped homes. Amanda finds love with Iris’s brother Graham and Iris finds love from the inspiration of screenwriter Arthur with film composer Miles. The two despite being so separated from each other and their original life’s problems, conflict and romance found themselves again through this swapped vacation. There’s not much else to say, but fun fact Hans Zimmer made the soundtrack for this movie. I feel like I’ve said that before though. This is the 3rd movie that I’ve covered which Zimmer made the soundtrack for.

The Holiday’s quote explains that later on in your life, your regrets will be what you can’t do instead of what you did do. You may regret some of what you did do, but most of your regrets will come from what you didn’t do. Take those opportunities and chances to make your life great. It will always be worth it in the end.

I hope that these quotes made sure you don’t have any regrets. Have a great day everyone!

Want more? Here are the past 3 quotes of the day posts:

Quotes Of The Day 45: Quality

Quotes Of the Day 44: Imagination

Quotes Of the Day 43: Change The World

0 comments