Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood and reflective spirit. Today’s writing prompt caught my attention like a sudden gust of wind on a quiet evening — “Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?”
We all have chapters in our lives that begin with “What if…” or “I should have…” These aren’t just regrets — they are lessons wrapped in silence.
Let me take you on a little journey into my own life, to a moment that still gently knocks on the doors of my heart.
The Call I Never Made
It was over a decade ago. I had just entered the busy world of banking — a place of spreadsheets, schedules, and silent ambition. Life was a rush, and the clock was always the master.
Amidst the chaos, I learned that my childhood friend, Rajeev, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
We had been inseparable in school, sharing lunchboxes and laughter, secrets and silly fights.
But after college, our lives took different routes. I joined the banking sector; he pursued teaching in a remote village.
When I heard the news through a mutual friend, I hesitated. I thought of calling him. I even picked up the phone, but work was calling too. “Maybe tomorrow,” I whispered to myself.
Tomorrow never came. A week later, Rajeev was gone.
The Weight of Silence
That moment taught me more than any book ever could. I didn’t take action when it mattered most — a simple phone call that could have brought a smile to a fading face.
A few words of comfort, some shared memories, or just the sound of a familiar voice… it could have meant everything to him.
The silence I offered in those final days of his life is something I carry even now. It made me realize that not doing something can weigh heavier than doing the wrong thing.
What Would I Do Differently?
If I could go back, I wouldn’t wait. I would dial his number right away, no matter how busy I was. I would let him know how much our friendship meant to me, how often I thought of him.
I would listen to his voice, even if just for a few minutes, and share a laugh like we used to. That little action would have healed a part of both of us.
From that experience, I’ve changed. Now, I don’t delay things that matter. I write, I call, I express, I paint, and I live with intention.
A Gentle Reminder to You
Yes, dear friends, we all have our Rajeevs — people or moments that slipped through our fingers because we hesitated.
Sometimes, fear holds us back. Sometimes, it’s pride, or the illusion of time. But remember this: time waits for none, and the smallest action can have the deepest impact.
Is there someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to? A dream you’ve tucked away for “someday”?
A heartfelt apology or an overdue thank you? Do it today. Even a tiny step can save you from the burden of what might have been.
The Gift of Action
Inaction can leave a permanent mark, but it also offers a mirror — a chance to evolve. It teaches us what we truly value. That missed phone call taught me to treasure relationships, to pause for people, and to act when the heart whispers, “Now.”
So yes, I didn’t take action when it mattered. But I carry that lesson like a compass, guiding me toward a life with fewer regrets and more courage.
And if you’re reading this, maybe this blog is your sign. Make that call. Send that message. Chase that dream. Write that poem. Life is short, but your actions can make it beautiful.
My book is now available on Amazon.
You can find it here: https://amzn.in/d/0gBYPlvz
I truly appreciate your interest and support—it means a lot!
Categories: infotainment
Retiredकलम 
Very nice.
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Thank you so much.
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I’m so sorry for your best friend’s loss, but I truly believe you did the right thing. The mindset of someone facing inevitable death is incredibly complex. He may have felt even more overwhelmed by his situation, knowing that everyone else’s life would simply go on. In moments like this, people usually only have the emotional space for their closest family, even if many relatives and friends feel the urge to visit or talk to them. So, on a subconscious level, you actually responded in the right way and showed deep respect for what your friend was going through.
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Thank you for saying that—it really means a lot.
It’s been something I’ve thought about quite a bit, wondering if I did enough or if I should have done things differently. But what you shared makes sense… that in such moments, it’s not always about doing more, but about understanding what the other person might need, even if it’s space.
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Verma ji, this is such a heartfelt and beautifully written piece. The way you’ve woven a deeply personal moment into a universal lesson is truly moving. That reminder — that inaction can sometimes weigh more than mistakes — hit me hard. Thank you for turning your regret into a gift for all of us. You’ve inspired at least one person today to stop delaying and start acting. 🙏
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Thank you so much for these thoughtful words—they truly mean a lot.
That line about inaction has stayed with me too; sometimes it’s the things we don’t do that echo the longest. If sharing that moment could help even one person take a step forward instead of holding back, then it feels worth it.
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It is something we all must carry with us, as a lesson, as a reminder that the most important thing is life! And I truly feel the same way as I had a similar experience. Wishing you much success with your book Sir! I am sure it will be a best-seller! All the best!
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Thank you so much, Sit.
It truly means a lot to know that the message resonates with you, especially given your own experience.
Life really does have a way of teaching us what matters most.
I’m grateful for your encouragement and good wishes—it gives me even more motivation to keep going.
Wishing you strength, happiness, and continued growth on your journey as well. Take care and all the very best!
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Thank you 🙏🏻 so much Sir. Yes, life is our true professor and sometimes we don’t listen but eventually we do learn our lessons well. Enjoy a tranquil and happy evening Sir.
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You’re very welcome, Sir. 🙏🏻
That’s a beautiful way to put it—life really does keep teaching, patiently, until we’re ready to hear what it’s been saying all along. And often, the lessons land exactly when they need to.
Wishing you a peaceful and restorative evening as well. Take good care 🌿
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Thank you very much. Wishing you the same. A restful night and pleasant dreams. All the best and we shall proceed with more exchanges in the morning.
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Good morning, Sir.🙂
A fresh start, a new stretch of hours ahead—always something quietly reassuring about that. I hope the night brought you some real rest and that the day begins on a calm, steady note for you.
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Good morning! Yes, it was a restful night and I am ready for a busy and productive day. Although it starts with a visit to the dental hygienist 😊
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Good afternoon, Sir. 😊
That sounds like a great start—rested and ready always makes a difference. Even the dental hygienist visit feels a bit easier when you’re in that mindset 😄
Hope everything goes smoothly there, and that the rest of your day stays just as productive (and maybe even a little enjoyable along the way). Wishing you a really good one!
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Good afternoon! And thank you! Yes, all went well, a clean check-up and clean teeth. All smiles now. 😊 Hope you enjoy a wonderful afternoon and a peaceful, enjoyable evening. All the best Sir!
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That’s great news—nothing quite like leaving the dentist with that fresh, “all is well” feeling. Clean check-up, clean teeth… and clearly a lighter mood to match 😊
Evening really feels like the reward phase of the day, doesn’t it? A chance to slow down a bit, let the noise settle, and just enjoy the calm after everything’s been handled.
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Thank you so much Sir. Yes, I am looking forwards to an easy flowing and peaceful evening, to my wine, and a light snack as well as to some fine jazz to listen to in the background. I hope you have a smashing evening too and a peaceful, restful night.
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That sounds like a beautifully unhurried evening—wine, a light snack, and jazz in the background is pretty much a masterclass in slowing life down without forcing it.
There’s something special about that combination: nothing demanding your attention, just letting the music sit in the room and the evening unfold at its own pace.
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So right Sir! Thank you! And wishing you a pleasant and peaceful good night. Catch you in the morning.
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Good morning, Sir.
I am on morning walk track.
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Good morning Sir! And I hope you enjoyed a phenomenal walk! It is truly the best exercise and done every day it keeps one healthy and strong. I hope you have a beautiful day of peace, tranquillity and creativity!
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A deeply moving reflection on regret, time, and the quiet power of small actions your story gently reminds us that one call, one moment of courage, can mean everything.
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Thank you for such a thoughtful and generous reflection.
It truly means a lot that the message resonated with you. You’ve captured the essence so beautifully—that sometimes it’s the smallest actions, taken in a moment of awareness, that carry the greatest weight.
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I always warn myself about ruing decisions in the past. But we do it all the time. And who knows if we would do it differently now but we certainly grow from the experience. I have a very familiar story with a very good friend named Dean.. He has . For the life of me, I cannot find him. I wish I could.
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This is a really heartfelt reflection, and there’s something very human in what you’re expressing.
Regret has a way of quietly visiting all of us, even when we know—intellectually—that we can’t rewrite the past. What matters is exactly what you pointed out: that growth still comes from those moments, even the ones we wish had gone differently.
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A hard lesson to learn, for sure. The same thing recently happened to me. I had been meaning to call my last remaining auntie for some time and kept putting it off. I promised myself I would do it tomorrow and then one day, the call came that she had passed away. A tough lesson to learn. The motto is, if we are thinking of someone, we should reach out right away. Tomorrow may be too late. Have a nice day and thanks for this message. Allan
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That’s a really heartfelt and honest reflection, Allan.
I’m sorry you had to go through that—it’s one of those lessons that stays with us because of how deeply it touches something human.
That “I’ll do it tomorrow” feeling is so familiar, and yet moments like this remind us how fragile time really is.
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A brave and honest transformation of remorse into direction, beautifully reframing the weight of a missed moment as the very steadying force that ensures your future steps are taken with purpose.
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That means a lot—thank you.
I’ve been trying to treat regret less like something to carry and more like something to use. Not to excuse it or soften it, but to let it sharpen how I move next.
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