Have you read this before?
If I had my life to live over, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more real troubles and fewer imaginary ones. You see, I am one of these people who lives prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I have had my moments and, if I had it to do over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else – just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day.
I have been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had it to do over again, I would go and do and travel lighter.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way until later in the fall. I would play hooky more. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.
I’d pick more daisies.
Posted on April 1, 2008, in General, Random Mumbling. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
Robin Steele 
I didn’t write this. How do you agree with it? How do you disagree?
No, but it sure makes me think. I do tend to miss the little things like watching the sunset because I’m rushing through life. I wonder if the person that wrote this is older or sick. Sadly, those are the times people normally look back at their lives.
I agree with Suzy, while reading this my mind wondered if this person is at the end of their life, OR did something happen to them that made them see that life is short, that we are here but for a short time. I for one think I should slow down some, focus MORE on God, stop and enjoy things in this life, enjoy my friends more, and not be so focused on the goal of making the most money I can in a year, or saying, we have pleanty of time to enjoy our friends and family.
Thanks Pastor, I think I needed a little wake up.
Those who live like this author, sanely and organized, look back and wonder about the missed opportunities of spontaneity. However, to be fair, shouldn’t we also hear from the person who did in fact live life on the edge and made important decisions about life off the cuff? I submit that they would have the reverse longings such as a stable paycheck, roots in their community and the peace of mind gained by going to bed each night knowing they had covered all the bases. I believe we can go too far either way and that balance is the happiest position. Plan for a full life, get organized and focused, but never forget to live each moment and savor life. Read Ecclesiastes and see what the wisest man to live had to say on the subject.
I think we missed the point of the post…are there things in your life you regret? The idea is that we share a part of who we are; that we become authentic with one another.
My regrets…well, I wish I had more confidence when I was in my early 20s. I wish I had traveled more then. Worried less about what people thought and spent less time trying to lose weight. I wish I would have taken ballet classes when I was a little girl and learned how to balance and control my body movements….
Balance is so important. There are several things on the list that I love. barefoot in the grass.
having more real troubles than imaginary is important. eliminating the imaginary ones is the focus…
I agree with the author in some ways. I think the reason many homeless people live the life they do (some times anyway) is because they are trying to live the life the author is writing about.
From my point of view (having lived more than half my life) I think a lot about the things the author is saying! I tell myself (often) to enjoy each day, the gift of life, nature, good health, GRANDKIDS, stop worrying about tomorrow, be thankful for today.
I agree with Brother Rob life should be about balance. I agree with the writer too, I wish I had lived on the edge more and been more carefree instead of so careful! I have had a bad habit of trying too hard to please others and not myself. My wife and children will testify about how I am a perfectionist when it comes to some things. I hate being that way and am less of a perfectionist now than when I was younger.
I think as we get older and look back on 55 years of our memories we do have regrets! But there are a lot of good memories. I try to go down memory lane once in a while and think about growing up on a farm, the chores, the early morning dew on a diesel tractor when the sun is coming up and it’s cool! Milking a cow or two, feeding the pig. Watching a sow have babies, or a cow having a calf. Hunting doves and quail. And even some of the stupid things I did in high school!
I think all of us would like to be released from our responsiblities, but what would the world be like if everyone was a free spirit and no one took care of the serious things in life? Order is good! Its God’s way. But I think even God enjoys watching us get a little crazy, have fun and freedom in Him!
Regrets…you bet I have a few. I wish
Sorry… phone rang and cliched when I should have not…..I wish I had written the book I have always wanted to write, Danced on the stage, played the lead in a broadway show. I wanted to sing, country, I did sang in church and on radio when i was a teen in California. Regrets I do have.
But then I am who I am today for all the regrets of yesterdays.
I love what God has done to me. He took my sins away.
Regret is the building block for progression. For without remorse one would not know the satisfaction of deliverance. To live a life where you view regrets as missed oppritunities of happiness is to live a life as being fractured. When life in a whole is but a chain of events, one leading unto another. Without one ring, the strength and flexibility thereof would be non exsistant. Leaving you inept when trouble did turn about its ugly head.
All in all if I had my life to live over, I would pray it went the same. For this day, I have life everlasting through the grace of God, and a love rooted so deeply in a family that I could have never drempt. What more could I possibly require? Wind and rivers may cease, but my indebtedness to Christ will never meet it’s end.
I am going to cry now. Have a good night!
I think we should all try to live like each day was our last. ( but Im not so sure about that less hygine thing! )
This was very interesting…. I used to think that I wish I had things diffrent and I wish that I hadnt gone threw the things that I have, seen the things that I have seen and even changed the things I have done. Beacuse I am who God made me to be. I am a strong woman, wife and mother!! and it has made me the person I am today!!! I have been forgivin by a awsome God and I am SO thankful for the things I have in the life because of how is has changed my life!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!
I agree with you, Laddie!!! Actually, I agree with several of you. I do have some things I wish I could change, but can’t change the past. I do want to have free time to spend with the grandkids and take a few trips. AND love Jesus more every day!!!!
Now………Kathy would you be thinking about …maybe… trips to Tennessee now………….I dont blame you and if you need someone to help drive and your honey can`t go ….I know who can.
I will keep this in mind. 🙂