The Neptune Warrior

I’m not proud of everything I’ve done.

There are chapters in my story I wish I could rewrite—moments where I hurt people, let myself down, played small when I should’ve stood tall. And if you’re being honest, maybe you’ve got chapters like that too. It’s easy to drown in regret, to replay the same scenes over and over, wondering what you could’ve done differently.

But here’s the thing: we can’t go back. The past is written. What we can do is decide what comes next.

The Psychology of Regret

Psychologists call regret a “cognitive-emotional process.” It forces us to reflect, compare what was with what could’ve been, and decide how we want to move forward. Regret—when handled the right way—can actually be one of the most powerful motivators for personal growth.

A study published in the journal Emotion (2017) found that people who constructively process regret often report higher levels of meaning in life. Why? Because regret signals our values. We only feel it deeply when something mattered. That’s why those low points stick with us—they point to the kind of person we wanted to be.

And that gives us direction.

Scars as a Signal

I don’t lead because I have it all figured out. I lead because I’ve fallen hard—and I’ve learned how to get back up. People don’t need perfect leaders. They need real ones. The kind who admit where they messed up and still keep showing up.

Leadership grounded in humility isn’t weakness—it’s strength. Brené Brown calls this “wholehearted living.” It’s when you let go of shame, own your story, and step forward with courage.

And that’s what this is about. I’m still chasing better. Not to prove something to anyone—but because I refuse to stay stuck.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

If you’ve got chapters you’re not proud of, you’re not alone. But maybe—just maybe—that pain can serve someone else. Maybe your comeback becomes someone else’s lifeline.

Because when you use your scars to help someone else heal, you give your past a purpose.

So keep pushing. You don’t have to be perfect to lead. You just have to be honest, hungry, and willing to keep moving forward.

We don’t quit.

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