“If 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.” Nadine Stair, 85 years old, Association for Humanistic Psychology Newsletter, July 1975
When I was in college, I took a religion class from one of the campus ministers, and he introduced our class to the above poem right at the end of the semester. Then he challenged us to follow the advice of this poem, and from that day forward, I have tried to do just that. I have tried to grab onto the opportunities that have come my way. I have tried to enjoy both big things and little things. I have tried to make the most of what I have been given.
When my husband had a stroke two years ago and then follow-up surgery to fix the heart issue that caused it, I challenged him. I told him that he has always wanted to go to Norway, so he should book something. And he did! This month we will be touring Spectacular Scandinavia. I didn’t want him to miss out on something he has wanted to do for a long time.
I encourage everyone to follow the advice of the poem. Take the opportunities that come your way. Grab onto life. Dare yourself to do things that you never thought you could. Take some chances. And, above all, pick more daisies!
Pastor Beth
