If I Had My Life to Live Over

Reflecting on this photo from a few months ago in Marlins Stadium. I was there to facilitate a workshop on mindfulness and gratitude with 350 teachers responsible for 71,000 kids in the Miami-Dade County Public School system. Afterwards, I asked if I could run around in the outfield, and since I didn’t have the right shoes on I did so barefoot. We didn’t have any idea that schools would be closing, that we would all be socially isolating for months, or that I myself would soon play the role of homeschool teacher. In that moment, everything was carefree.

That day now reminds me of one of my favorite poems. It is by an 85 year old, Nadine Stair, when she was asked what she would do differently if she had her life to live over again. I would love to hear your thoughts.

If I had my life to live over again,

I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.

I’d relax.

I’d limber up.

I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances,

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.

you see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane,

hour after hour,

day after day.

Oh, I’ve had my moments.

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 could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had to live my life 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