I loved this piece. It resonates with me. I could palpably feel his desperation. He was unwilling to listen to himself and his deviation from the norm until he apparently did and committed himself. I honestly think that unless we honestly look at our self-perceived failures, which in my case has always been what I want to do for a living or how to maintain a romantic relationship, we cannot avoid regret. Regret is the ultimate sadness. Life does not go on forever. We have to decide to address our concerns or else they get away from us. We have to look at reality, and not take short cuts. If something is wrong we have to deal with and correct it, or else we spiral out of control.