Thoughts of a Random Nature

Saturday night my computer got a virus. One of those ones with a bogus security program that has popups and shuts down every application you try to start. I was mildly frustrated until I remembered there’s this nifty feature on Windows called System Restore. Basically you pick a date and the computer sets itself to how it was at that time. I did that and voila! the virus was gone and calm was restored.

I got to thinking, wouldn’t it be great if System Restore existed in life? If you made a mistake or did something you regret, just go back and reset the date. And all is well. I know there’s no point in mulling over things that have already happened because they’re done. But that doesn’t stop me from wondering how certain situations would be different had I said or did something else. This discussion makes me think of the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s about a woman who’s life could have went two totally different ways depending on whether or not she made the train for work. I like exploring the idea of what-could-have-been and that it can be something very small that can change your life.

Although I’m a young adult I’ve made enough decisions on my own to wonder how my life would be today had I done something different. For example, if I would have committed myself to studying business or if I wouldn’t have moved to Chicago for grad school. But then again I wouldn’t be the person I am now. I’ve learned so much about myself through the mistakes and failures I doubt I would want to erase it.

Are there things you’d like to use System Restore for? Do you think it’s pointless to think about what’s already said and done?

J