Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, this lively celebration shares a common theme: a last hurrah before being disciplined. But beyond the indulgent stacks of pancakes or doughnuts (as in Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, Russia, the USA, and probably some other places, in one form or another), there lies a reminder not to harbour regrets.
Today, whether we are in a carnival euphoria or if our mood flips back and forth, let us channel the spirit of the iconic French singer, Edith Piaf, who once declared:
"Je ne regrette rien" – "I regret nothing."
The very essence of these words echoes through the carnival air, urging us to embrace the joy of the moment, the richness of experience, and the delight found in a well-flipped pancake.
Pancake Tuesday serves as a metaphor for indulging in life's guilty pleasures. It's a day when we can savour the sweet lemon, jam, or syrup-drenched pancakes without the nagging voice of regret whispering in our ears. As we flip pancakes with the finesse of a seasoned chef, let each turn of the spatula symbolise a moment of acceptance – a reminder that every choice is an integral part of our unique artistic journey - life.
Accepting differences between people and rejecting division is a fundamental concept that lies at the heart of any community or social group.
Accepting one’s make-up is a fundamental concept of personal resilience, well-being, and a fulfilling existence.
The human tendency to wish for things to be different, to yearn for an alternate reality, often leads to suffering and discontent. The wisdom of acceptance is rooted in acknowledging that the makeup of our lives up to this point is the result of factors beyond our control.
Consider the components of your life - your experiences, setbacks, family, abilities, and circumstances. These are the raw materials you have been given, the canvas on which you paint your existence. The sum of these elements is, in many ways, predetermined. You may not choose your family, the challenges you face, or the innate talents you possess. However, what you do with these elements, how you respond to them, and the choices you make are within your control.
“Work with the material you are given”
Epictetus
This philosophy resonates strongly with Stoicism, an ancient school of thought that emphasises the importance of virtue, reason, and self-discipline. At its core, Stoicism teaches that life is not about controlling external events but about mastering one's response to them. The Stoic way of life encourages individuals to cultivate an attitude of acceptance.
The Stoic understanding of acceptance intentionally embraces reality. It involves recognizing that every choice, every challenge, and every aspect of our lives is an integral part of our unique journey. The Stoic response is to accept the given circumstances, not as a defeat, but as an opportunity for growth and wisdom.
The acceptance of the present moment frees us from the mental burden of constantly wishing for things to be different. It allows us to channel our energy into making the best possible choices given our current circumstances.
While we may not have chosen all the elements that make up our lives, we have the power to choose how we respond to them. Just as the Mardi Gras showcases a myriad of colours and characters, our life stories are painted with diverse experiences, relationships, and adventures. Play with them and use them as complementary colours.
“Vincent (Van Gogh) aimed for visual harmony in his art and experimented with complementary colours like blue and orange, red and green, or purple and yellow. Before applying expensive paint, he extensively explored these contrasts using coloured threads of wool”.
Van Gogh Museum
In the artistry of life, every thread, no matter how tangled or frayed, contributes to the masterpiece of our narrative.
So much pressure, why so loud?
If you don't like my sound, you can turn it down
I gotta roll
And I walk it alone
An uphill battle, I look good when I climb
I'm ferocious precocious
I get braggadocios, I'm not gonna stop
I like the view from the top
You talk that
Blah blah that la la, that rah rah sh
And I'm so done, I'm so over it
Sometimes I mess up, I eff up, I hit and miss
But I'm okay, I'm cool with it
I still fall on my face sometimes and I
Can't color inside the lines 'cause
I'm perfectly incomplete
I'm still working on my masterpiece and I
I wanna hang with the greatest gotta
Way to go, but it's worth the wait, no
You haven't seen the best of me
I'm still working on my masterpiece and I
Those who mind, don't matter
Those who matter, don't mind
If you don't catch what I'm throwing then I leave you behind
Don't need a flash
And I am leaving like that
They talk that
Blah blah that la la, that rah rah sh
Go with the punches, and take the hits
Sometimes I mess up, I eff up, I swing and miss
But it's okay, I'm cool with this
"Masterpiece" by Jessie J, 2014, album"Sweet Talker."
In the song “Masterpiece” Jessie J expresses self-confidence and self-love, referring to herself as a masterpiece. The lyrics convey a message of embracing one's uniqueness and recognizing one's worth, despite any potential challenges or setbacks ('blah blah that la la') and criticisms or hardships ('punches'). It's a celebration of personal strength and resilience, emphasising that one's value remains intact regardless of internal struggles or external pressures.
“Je ne regrette rien”, “Masterpiece” and Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day with their golden goodness, beckon us to savour the richness of life with confidence without the burden of remorse. Regret, much like a lumpy pancake, weighs us down and hinders the joy of savouring the present. As we commemorate this day with laughter, community, and a generous helping of pancake stacks, let us liberate ourselves from the shackles of "what ifs" and "should haves." Instead, let our hearts echo the defiant refrain of Edith Piaf, declaring that at this moment, we regret nothing.
So, let Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day inspire us to live without regrets. As we bid farewell to the carnival season and prepare for the reflective days, may we carry with us joy, the sweet taste of pancakes or a doughnut, and the wisdom to embrace each chapter of our lives with open hearts and a stack of pancakes in hand.
Je ne regrette rien while I am working on my masterpiece – let this be our anthem as we dance within ourselves, celebrating the beauty of complementary colours of a life well-lived.