Last month, I wrapped up an 8-week mindfulness program with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. While I'll talk more about its benefits later, I could not wait to share the poem below, which was presented during one of our sessions. This poem really resonated with me.
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If I Had My Life to Live Over
By Nadine Stair (age 85)
from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen
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 take more trips.
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 live sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments and 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 of each day.
I've been one of those people who never go 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 stay that way later in the fall.
If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter next time.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.
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For me this poem underlines how we humans tend to overthink, worry about things that haven't happened yet, and forget to simply enjoy life. There were two particularly lines that made me smile:
"I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones."
"I've been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute."
I never used to read much poetry, but I've found it oddly comforting lately. It's like a little moment of reflection. And it reminds me of something a friend once told me—whenever his dad felt down, he'd turn to a poem. Such a simple yet beautiful way to find peace, don't you think?
Acknowledgment: This text has been reviewed and enhanced for language accuracy, clarity, and fluency by ChatGPT.