I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. – Groucho Marx
If I Could Live My Life Over Again…
If I could live my life again.
Next time, I would try to make more mistakes.
I would not try to be so perfect, I would relax more.
I would be sillier than I have been.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would be less fastidious.
Accept more risks, I would take more trips,
Contemplate more evenings,
Climb more mountains, and swim more rivers…
I would go to more places where I have not been,
Eat more ice cream and fewer beans.
I would have more real problems and less imaginary ones.
I was one of those people who lived
sensibly and meticulously every minute of their life.
Of course I have had moments of happiness.
But if I could go back in time, I would try to
have good moments only,
and not waste precious time.
I was someone never went
anywhere without a thermometer, a
hot water bag, an umbrella
and a parachute. If I could live again,
I would travel more frivolously.
If I could live again, I would begin
to walk barefoot at the beginning of the spring
and I would continue to do so until the end of autumn.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would contemplate more evenings and I would play
with more children.
If I could have another life ahead.
But I am 85 years old you see, and I know that I am dying.
This poem is believed to have been written either by Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), an Argentine poet or American poet, Nadine Stair. Everywhere I looked (desperately trying to give credit where credit was due), gave one or the other – and a few sources listed the author as “Unknown.”
Personally, I think Borges wrote it in Spanish and Stair translated it into English. However, Stair could just as easily have written it, so I’m crediting both. Who said the words isn’t nearly as important as the words, themselves.
It’s just a beautiful and elegant reminder that life isn’t just for living… it’s for living out LOUD.
God Bless You!
Love this….Love this…Love this! The following is a true story – it happened recently at the University of Maryland.
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.
Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.
This class would not pray during the commencements —– not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine…… until the final speech received a standing ovation.
A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!
The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, ” GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!” And he walked off stage…
The audience exploded into applause. The graduating class found a unique way to invoke God’s blessing on their future with or without the court’s approval.
It’s Okay…
….. to yell when your favorite team loses.
….. to yell when the team you hate wins.
….. to wear white during winter.
….. to cry whenever you feel like crying.
…..to laugh whenever you feel like laughing.
….. to swing at the park, whatever your age.
….. to sing out loud with the radio.
….. to lose your cool.
….. to look at the world differently from everyone else.
…..to let other people have their own opinions.
….. to disagree with those opinions.
…..to be headstrong.
…..to have a strong will. Seriously, how could it not be okay to be strong.
…..to say no for no other reason than you feel like it.
…..to simply say, “I don’t know.”
…..make mistakes.
…..waste a little time each and every day.
….. dress how YOU want to dress. Wear your hair how YOU want to wear your hair.
….. tell the world where you stand.
…..walk away from a fight.
….. spend more for clothes, jewelry, food, furniture, and shoes than others think you should.
….. take “me” time.
….. cherish “”me” time.
….. watch cartoons.
….. to see things your way.
….. sleep late.
….. not to go simply because you don’t want to.
….. ask for help when you need it.
….. to just be YOU.
The Rest of Your Life….
EDIT: The following article was written before the controversy surrounding Paula Deen. By leaving this article on Self Help Daily, I am BY NO MEANS supporting or condoning the outrageous statements made by and attributed to Paula Deen. Racism and intolerance are two things I hate most in this world. On the flip side, forgiveness and second chances are two of the things I love most. In that vein, after thinking about deleting this blog post, I decided to leave it. Why? The irony of the premise. The post is all about living the rest of your life – in spite of what has happened up to the moment you’re now living in. I hope Paula Deen, her family, her fans, and everyone offended by her statements will do just that. Pick up and move forward. All any of us have is the rest of our life – let’s not weigh it down with hate or anger. – Joi
I recently read a Paula Deen bio and was, at once, surprised and inspired by what she’s been through. When she was barely into her twenties, she lost both of her beloved parents. Married with two small boys, Paula took in her younger brother, Bubba, to raise as well. The tragedies left her nearly paralyzed and unbelievably overwhelmed by the world that she viewed as cruel and frightening.
During this time, she battled agrophobia, which is the fear of being in public. So she went through a phase when she was literally afraid to leave the house. She also endured a divorce around this time.
Then, on June 19, 1989, her world changed. She tells the story of how she woke up on this date and began to live the rest of her life.
Does that concept move you the way it does me? When I read it, it I could almost feel the words grab me by the arms and lift me up. You know how exciting New Year’s Day is? How it’s all about starting over and having fresh new chances?
That’s actually what each new day is. Think about it, each week we have 7 brand new opportunities to start fresh, to…
- …take what isn’t working at all and make it work.
- …take what’s working good and make it great.
- …break self-destructive habits.
- …begin self-constructive habits.
- …repair broken relationships.
- …strengthen all relationships.
- …learn something new.
- …see someplace new.
- …stretch our boundaries.
- …improve our minds.
- …come out of our shells.
- …work on that temper.
- …adopt a little love from a shelter.
- …make someone smile.
- …make someone laugh.
- …drink Chai tea.
The list goes on, just as far as the opportunities do. 7 chances are handed to us each week.
Here’s a lady who was kicked in the stomach by life and left all but mentally and emotionally paralyzed. She not only pulled herself up, she went on to (along with her sons) start a home-based business with just $200 to her name. This business led to a famously successful restaurant as well as best-selling cookbooks, her own magazine, dvds, a hot line of products, and a wonderful television show on Food TV.
All because she woke up one morning and thought, “This isn’t getting it.”
I hope with all my heart that whatever you may be facing in life doesn’t compare to what Paula Deen faced down. But, whatever it is…..wherever you are….remember this: Today isn’t just Tuesday, January 10th. Today’s the first day of the rest of your life.
Go amaze yourself!