Life

I was thinking of this today and thought I would share it. I love the perspective she has on life.

Life

If I had my life to live over, I’d make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I’d been on this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans! I would watch less TV and have more picnics.

I would have only actual trouble and very few imaginary ones. I would feel sad, not depressed. I would be concerned, not anxious. I would feel annoyed, not angry. I would regret my mistakes but not spend a lot of time feeling guilty about them.

I would tell more people that I liked them. I would touch my friends. I would forgive others for being human and I would hold no grudges.

I would grow with more children and listen to more old people. I would go after what I wanted without believing that I needed it and I wouldn’t place such a great value on money.

You see, I’m one of those people who lived cautiously, sensibly, 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 a lot more of them. In fact, I’d have nothing else . . . . just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I have been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.

If I had it to do over again, I would plant more seeds and make the world more beautiful. I would express my feelings without fear.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I’d pick more daisies and I would smile because I would be living free.

Nadine Stahr (at age 85)
Louisville, Kentucky