In this episode of "Call Me Donovan," recorded on December 26, 2023, I open up about a personal reflection triggered by a second take of this recording. Initially, I went through the entire process—recording, editing, and finalizing show notes. But a break for lunch led to a meaningful moment with my wife as we sifted through old family photos.Among the 1,500 pictures, we stumbled upon a set from the early years of our marriage, an era of joy and youthful exuberance. However, my insensitive comment about my wife's hairstyle, unintentionally comparing her to my ex-wife, cast a shadow over that memory. This realization sparked deep remorse and a contemplation of my past self.At almost 54 and 213 days into sobriety, I grapple with regret, wishing I could alter my actions and words from years ago. This experience made me question if it's my age or sobriety that brings this clarity, making me confront my past behavior. I confess my shame and lack of consideration for others' feelings during my younger years, acknowledging a desire for change while accepting the person I've become.Ditching the initial 30-minute episode, I shared these reflections instead. I digitized the photos, preserving glimpses of our past happiness and the regrettable moments. Despite the remorse, I aim for self-forgiveness and growth as I navigate the complexities of memory and regret.This redo is a departure from the initial holiday-themed content, offering a deeper, more personal narrative. As we transition into 2024, I extend warm wishes for a Happy New Year and emphasize that, while you can call me anything, Donovan is my preferred name.Though I failed to mention this in the actual episode, I may be moving the podcast from Transister.fm to Substack, but I'll discuss that in a separate episode to follow.Disclaimer: My show notes and episode titles are generated by ChatGPT and approved by me (sometimes with edits).Contact Infoemail: don@callmedonovan.comtext: 229-796-4009