<p>This entire thread is one giant pity party. </p>
<ol>
<li>Understand your situation, decisions, and their implications</li>
<li>Try as hard as you can to get what you want</li>
<li>Enjoy the ride</li>
</ol>
<p>If You Failed:
4. Upon failure, wallow (privately) in your moment of remorse
5. -> MOVE ON <-</p>
<p>If You Succeed:
4. Enjoy the perfect but temporary happiness that comes with success
5. -> MOVE ON <-</p>
<p>Note 1: In both cases, 5 is easier when it follows 3
Note 2: The only guaranteed happiness in this spiffy flowchart (3) comes before the win/lose fork, and is also the most permanent.</p>