How we view the world has a lot to do with our happiness and success. Let’s use a whitewater kayaking metaphor to illustrate the kinds of choices we make each day. In our fast-paced world, it is as if we are in a kayak on some fast rapids, in white water. We can choose to be moved by the water, or we can use the paddle to steer. In other words, we can act, or we can be acted upon. We can also choose to look forward or backward. At each moment, we are acting and focusing. For example, we may choose to feel that we acted poorly (where we had paddled) in the past (looking backward) and feel regret. Obviously, the best choice is to act (paddle) and to look forward, focusing on the future.
This model illustrates these choices and tells how we feel if we view the world in this way.
Regret
We can center our attention on what we did in the past, what’s now behind, and we will usually come up short in our own estimation. We can become both the victim of our decisions and the villain who created our problems. This will lead to feelings of regret; “I should have”, “I could have”. The other end of the spectrum in this quadrant is to look back and rest on our laurels and believe that our past accomplishments are sufficient for our present happiness. This decision will also lead to regret because past success is no guarantee of future success.
Regret a feeling of sadness about a mistake that you have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted” (2 Corinthians 7:10). “If we have sinned or made mistakes – if we have made choices that we now regret – there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign, Nov 2012).
Despair
We can concentrate our thoughts on what life and others have done to us in the past, things that are behind us, and this will lead to a feeling of despair and hopelessness. We are victims in this quadrant, and we have many villains that we can identify in our lives. Life’s current has swept us along, and we have been helpless. “And yes, we have weaknesses. But we do not need to hang our heads in despair, because we can trust God, we can trust His Son, Jesus Christ, and we can accept the gift of the Spirit to guide us on this path toward a life filled with joy and divine happiness. Jesus among Us,” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God Among Us,” Ensign, May 2021).
Fear
We can focus on the rapids that we hear ahead of us and feel that there’s nothing that we can do, we are victims of life’s current. In the fear quadrant our progress is frozen, and we find ourselves wanting to escape and avoid accountability. “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:6).
Faith
This is a place where we direct our thoughts heavenward and move forward thinking about what the Lord would have us do. President Holland reminds us that “faith always points forward”. We ask the question found in Jacob 5, “What more can I do?” This is a place of hope, optimism, and courage. This is where we forget ourselves and go to work. “Undaunted faith and remarkable courage are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus Christ” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Cherishing Life,” Liahona, May 2025). When you look at the chart, the faith quadrant is in the upper right. This is “upright”.
Where Are You At?
While training executives in taking accountability and achieving results, I would ask, “Where are you at?” It’s helpful to evaluate and assess where we are. Do I act out of fear or faith? Am I feeling despair or hope? Do I sense regret or comfort? What do I need to do to stay “upright” in life’s whitewater?
