IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted
in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more
while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realising that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"
. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . .
look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back.”
~ Erma Bombeck
I ran across this online today and wanted to share. I read this many years ago and it made quite an impression on me then... even more so now that I'm approaching the half-century mark. (Eek.. it looks just as bad in print as it sounds when I say it.) :)
Life is short. Sometimes we forget the to take time to enjoy and appreciate the things right in front of
us and instead worry about things that really aren't important in the long run. I'm sure we could all add our own thoughts/regrets to this list, but the important thing is that each day is a new opportunity to get our focus on the things that count. There's a saying I often see that states "The important things in life aren't things." How very true!
What's important is what we do with our life. Do we use it to glorify God and love others? Do we
really slow down and take time to appreciate each day as a gift from our creator? I know that my own outlook changed when I was diagnosed with cancer a few years back. Somehow, keeping my kitchen floor swept and mopped to a shine became a lot less important to me. Playing a game of RISK or Stratego with my kids and living in the moment were a lot more rewarding.
I took more time to watch and marvel at a sunrise or a sunset. I relished the beauty of it and saw with fresh eyes the way the grass sparkles in the morning dew. I listened intently to the beautiful songs of birds nearby. Buying a new item of clothing for myself seemed less necessary when I realized how temporary material things are and how many people out there have so little. I am much happier giving. No, I didn't become a saint. LOL But I did get a clearer view of what I value and I began to have a greater appreciation of all around me. Living and laughing with the ones I love became more important and my relationship with the Lord really blossomed. After all, when it gets down to it, who has loved me the most and done the most for me? Who am I going to be with when I breathe my very last breath? Have I really confessed Jesus in my life and told others about the wonderful peace they can have with Him even in the most difficult situations?
When people say cancer changes you, they are right. I've heard some cancer survivors say that they wouldn't change things, even if they could, and until it happened to me, I didn't understand or believe that. But now, in a way, I'm grateful for that trial because it helped reinforce what is important in my life.
You don't have to go through a life-changing event to recognize these things though. You just
have to have a change of thinking. We only get one chance to live life. Don't go through on auto-pilot or not appreciating so many of the things around you. Spend more time enjoying things and especially the company of those important to you. Don't live your life self-involved and thinking only of your pleasure, but don't live it worrying about pleasing others either. Enjoy your life. It is a gift from God. Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." That is what I choose to do no matter the circumstances around me. When we make up our mind to be content and when we seek Him first, blessings follow.
I guess the sign in my living room kind of sums it up for me:
Live a little, Laugh a little, Love a lot.
Words I try to live by. :)
Some people feel the rain.
Others just get wet.
Sing Like You Don't Need The Money,
Love Like You'll Never Get Hurt,
Dance Like Nobody's Watching
