“Mom?” I say as I slip on my boots. “I know you were only eighteen when you met Dad. I mean, that’s really young to meet the person you spend the rest of your life with. Do you ever regret it?”She doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, she lies back on my bed and clasps her hands behind her head, pondering my question.“I’ve never regretted it. Questioned it? Sure. But never regretted.""Is there a difference?” I ask.“Absolutely. Regret is counterproductive. It’s looking back on a past that you can’t change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future. I questioned a lot about my relationship with your father. People make spontaneous decisions based on of their hearts all the time. There’s so much more to relationships than just love.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Colleen Hoover's novel, the protagonist questions her mother about her decision to marry her father at a young age. The mother's response highlights the difference between regret and questioning in relationships, emphasizing the importance of introspection and consideration in decision-making.
The mother's statement that "regret is counterproductive" suggests that dwelling on past decisions can hinder personal growth and progress. Instead, she advocates for actively questioning and evaluating one's choices in the present to avoid future regrets. By acknowledging the complexity of relationships and the need for thoughtful consideration, the mother offers valuable insight into the nature of long-term commitments. This quote serves as a reminder to approach decisions with mindfulness and intention, rather than succumbing to impulsive actions driven solely by emotion.
Modern Relevance:
In this excerpt from Colleen Hoover's work, the character reflects on the complexities of relationships and the importance of questioning decisions rather than regretting them. This theme is highly relevant in today's society, where young people are often faced with the pressure to make quick decisions about their relationships. Let's delve deeper into the significance of this excerpt in a modern context.
"“Mom?” I say as I slip on my boots. “I know you were only eighteen when you met Dad. I mean, that’s really young to meet the person you spend the rest of your life with. Do you ever regret it?”She doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, she lies back on my bed and clasps her hands behind her head, pondering my question.“I’ve never regretted it. Questioned it? Sure. But never regretted.""Is there a difference?” I ask.“Absolutely. Regret is counterproductive. It’s looking back on a past that you can’t change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future. I questioned a lot about my relationship with your father. People make spontaneous decisions based on of their hearts all the time. There’s so much more to relationships than just love.” - Colleen Hoover".
Reflections on Love and Regret
"“Mom?” I say as I slip on my boots. “I know you were only eighteen when you met Dad. I mean, that’s really young to meet the person you spend the rest of your life with. Do you ever regret it?” She doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, she lies back on my bed and clasps her hands behind her head, pondering my question.
“I’ve never regretted it. Questioned it? Sure. But never regretted."
"Is there a difference?” I ask.
“Absolutely. Regret is counterproductive. It’s looking back on a past that you can’t change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future. I questioned a lot about my relationship with your father. People make spontaneous decisions based on of their hearts all the time. There’s so much more to relationships than just love.” - Colleen Hoover"
Reflection Questions:
In the passage above, a mother shares her perspective on love, relationships, and decision-making with her child. As you reflect on this dialogue, consider the following questions:
Think about a significant relationship in your life. Have you ever questioned it, like the mother in the passage, even if you didn't regret it? How did questioning it impact your decisions and actions?
How do you differentiate between regret and questioning in your own life? How do these concepts influence your outlook on past decisions and future choices?
What do you think the mother means when she says, "There’s so much more to relationships than just love"? How do you interpret this statement in the context of your own relationships and experiences?
Take some time to ponder these questions and consider how they relate to your own thoughts and feelings about love, relationships, and decision-making.
Similar quotes
“I've never regretted it. Questioned it? Sure. But never regretted." "Is there a difference?" I ask. "Absolutely. Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future. I questioned a lot about my relationship with your father. People make spontaneous decisions based off of their hearts all the time. There's so much more to relationships than just love.”
“Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future.”
“Are you a man?'' The question slipped out, and she regretted it. Regretted injecting reality into this delicate, lovely dream of passion. ''I thought I had conclusively proved my manhood to you. Shall I do it again?”
“I'd give everything to back to that moment and make things right.""Would you really? Would you go back in time and change that, if you could?""No. No, maybe not. Because then I wouldn't have this. I wouldn't have you. I have to live with my mistakes, but I don't have to regret them. I regret my actions but I can't regret the consequences.”
“When I gothome, my mother was so mad. But I didn’t regret it. I never regretted it, not for onesecond. How do you regret one of the best nights of your entire life? You don’t. Youremember every word, every look. Even when it hurts, you still remember.”