This quote by American author and journalist, Nikki Giovanni, suggests that the essence of life is not about what we could have achieved, but rather about what we have tried to accomplish. The quote emphasizes the importance of effort and action in life, rather than the potential for success or failure.
The first part of the quote suggests that dwelling on missed opportunities or things we could have done differently is not productive. Rather, the focus should be on what we have actually attempted and the effort we have put in. This means that regretting missed opportunities or dwelling on past failures should not be the primary focus of our lives.
The second part of the quote emphasizes the importance of trying and taking action, even in the face of potential failure. It highlights the idea that it is better to have tried and failed than to have not tried at all. The quote suggests that regret and self-forgiveness are much harder to bear when we haven’t even attempted something.
Overall, the quote encourages us to take risks and pursue our goals with determination and effort. It emphasizes the importance of action and trying, rather than dwelling on missed opportunities or potential failure. It reminds us that even if we fail, we can take pride in the fact that we tried, and that we will not have to live with the regret of never having attempted it.