So now we are in June and I have completely wandered through May hardly making a dent in accomplishing anything. But wait—I learned in some history class that we Americans feel we must be doing and working and accomplishing all the time. It is part of the Puritans in us. Maybe, reckon this crisis has caused some of us to rethink our urge to always be working and accomplishing and doing?
Reckon we should enjoy some small things like good health and being able to clean our house and mow our lawn? Reckon we can enjoy being with ourselves? Read the following, which was written by Nadine Stair of Louisville, KY over thirty years ago, and see what you think.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve 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 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 had it to do over again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live 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.
- By Nadine Stair of Louisville, Kentucky when she was 85 years old.