If I had my life to live over again

If I had my life to live over again,
I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax.
I’d limber up.
I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances,
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.
you see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane,
hour after hour,
day after day.

Oh, I’ve had my moments.
If I had to do it 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 of each day.

I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had to live my life over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would pick more daisies.

– Nadine Stair, Louisville at 85 years of age

(via)

8 Comments leave a comment below

  1. Wow this is really thought provoking.

  2. I like to think I’ve done a pretty good job at doing this so far for 49 years. It’s not always easy, but I’m happy.

  3. I think this was in “reader’s digest” when I was a child. Seriously …
    Kind of a long time ago!
    I especially remember the last segment!

  4. Thank you for reminding me of this! I diligently copied this into my journal as a young teenager and came back to it many times. Forty years later (what?!?), it’s a welcome reminder that sensible and sane are overrated.

  5. Actually, the poem is from Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986): « If I could live again my life »

  6. If I lived my life again, I would:

    – spent less time on computer
    – sleep more
    – eat healthier
    – spend more time with family and people which matters
    – spend more time outside
    – travel
    – living in the present moment, not in the future
    – not smoke weed

  7. I like your thoughts