What life should be about.

[Paul in OKC]

This is a very special response from a lady in Louisville, KY when asked on her 93rd birthday what she would do differently if she had her life to live over. It bears retelling here to remind those of us who are younger to hear her advice.

"If I had my life to live over, I would dare to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I've been this time. I would take fewer things seriously, and I would take more chances. I'd take more trips; I'd climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream, and fewer beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

"You see, I am one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, but 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.

"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 my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and I would 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

 

[PaulDoug]

Well she sure described me.

 

[devowoodworking]

Words of Wisdom indeed!!

 

[LostintheWoods]

Problem is, had she done all of these things she dared not do, possibly she wouldn't have reached the ripe old age of 93!

 

[babyblues]

Problem is, had she done all of these things she dared not do, possibly she wouldn't have reached the ripe old age of 93!

I think that's one of the imaginary problems she talked about. I think that's what keeps alot of us from doing many things that are worth doing.

 

[dalemcginnis]

Problem is, had she done all of these things she dared not do, possibly she wouldn't have reached the ripe old age of 93!

And what benefit is that if you haven't taken the time to enjoy the years?

 

[ldb2000]

Problem is, had she done all of these things she dared not do, possibly she wouldn't have reached the ripe old age of 93!

But she would have had a much more fun life !

 

[Hayseedboy]

My Dad used to tell me that the rough times are what make you appreciate the good times. Didn't get it then... after a few years I do now...

Now I have some kids of my own that I say the same things to. Funny how I broke the promise to myself that I wouldn't say the things that he did.

lr

 

[VisExp]

"I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.

I've also been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a parachute :biggrin:

 

[leehljp]

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that some of the ideas about her taking more chances are taken in the wrong vein. Taking more chances doesn't mean being stupid or acting recklessly (as in the red-neck background that I come from). I often see a BIG gap in what is considered taking chances and making mistakes versus "live life for the day" in a reckless manner.

Part of what LOML and I do as training others in our work is teaching, urging, encouraging leaders as well as others to take chances, try something new and get out of ruts, dare to make mistakes. It doesn't mean - speed up on icy roads, drink beyond reason, throw caution and common sense to the wind.

I am past 60 and recently rode the worlds 3rd highest roller coaster (100 yards high) with a couple of teens. The sign said "caution to anyone over 54". I have eaten fugu on occasion - and was not usually aware at the time. I have fun for a minister - in which many people consider leading a dull life.

LOML and I meet with young adults weekly and they call us to join them as a group and individually. (Some of our co-workers our age seem to view us as immature, still living in our youth - but at least we enjoy our insanity. :wink: )

Do we have fun? Absolutely!
Are we taking chances? Some.
Do we enjoy life? Absolutely.
Are we reckless? No. Do we take chances - Yes!
Is life ordinary for us? Absolutely not!

Her message to make more mistakes (in taking chances) is well worth it. But don't be reckless about it.

I don't live to live long, I live to love life, family and friends - as it is given to me - and get others to enjoy it too. If we are chosen to live long, great. If we are chosen to go early, then we can say that we were fulfilled in life.

 

[Hosspen]

Hank, I like the way you think!

Keith, That is a good one! ironic,true, and funny!

"If you're not living on the edge, You're taking up too much space"

 

[TellicoTurning]

I suppose that Hank Williams' line from his song could apply here... "live fast, love hard and leave a beautiful memory"

 

[Jerryconn]

I wish I had thought of this saying but I didn't.......Anyway with all the things that have happened to our family in the past year, this saying has become one of my favorites. I have come to realize that life is lived once and you don't get a "do-over".

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away"

 

[Boomer]

Smart lady. Life is so short that if you don't live every day like it is your last you just go through life with tunnel vision and don't enjoy everything that life has to offer.

 

[nava1uni]

I think that she has the right idea. I figure that if she didn't live a life as old as she is, she might have had a mighty fine dance on her way to the end. I think that in many ways fear rules people's life and holds them back from living in gthe moment. I work with ill children and they have taught me to have a good time every day, pay attention to the little things like flowers, bugs, etc., to laugh without reservation at the silliest things, to jump up and down with joy, dance as long as I can, even if there is no music except in my head and be glad to be alive every day. I know that life can be very short and my patient's are amazing teacher's of how to live it each day as if it will be the last. Once again the children will show the way.

 

[bitshird]

Being among the over 60 crowd, I've broken a lot of bones, a few hearts (some of the bones were mine)and I had my heart broken more times than I'd like, I've seen some beautiful sights, and a few that were pretty ugly, I've laughed a lot but not enough, I've tried to live my life with out limits, so far God has let me. When the time comes that I'm called to go home, I hope I enjoy the ride as much as I have enjoyed this one.