If I Had A Life To Live Over
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 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 lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it 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 to do it 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 (Age 85)
From Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Dreaming The Real
I’m lying looking at the colour
Of sky falling through the trees, dreaming
The real, tasting what it feels like to love it.
Why did it take me so long to let go, simply
exhale, so the day could breathe itself in
and open without me standing in the way?
How could I forget the grace of my own body
strong as this blue, tender as the white
of the wild blossom, warm as midday light?
Let me practice a patience bold enough
to hold every weather , trusting the elements,
the beauty of rain ,all it shades of grey.
I want whatever’s real to be enough.
At least it’s a place to begin. And to master the art
Of loving it , feel it love me back under my skin.
Linda Francis
Every day is a fresh beginning.
Listen my soul to the glad refrain,
And , spite of old sorrows,
And older sinning.
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again
By Susan Coolidge
