Life’s Curveballs

There are no do-over in life is a common phase we often hear when referring to life. I think about this often now that I’m in my 50s and looking back. There are many things that I wish that I could do-over, but during my early childhood no one could tell me anything and if I were told, I wouldn’t believe. We are invincible and everything our parents or elders told us was bunk. We have to experience it before we believe it and then it’s too late.

I wish that I had applied myself in school. I wasted much of my school years by doing nothing. Things have turned out for me better than anyone would have expected but much of it was luck, and it took much longer than it should have. I should have forced myself to be more outgoing and taken advantage of all the activities and opportunities that were available. Take full advantage of your school years for they are so precious.

I wish that I had savored some special moments a little longer. We only have a handful of special moments and I wish now that I had spent more time in them. Things like birthdays, Christmas mornings, that first kiss, and walks on the beach. Today more that ever we need to slow down and savor the moment. We do everything at high speed. We have high speed Internet, instant messaging, instant email, and want everything this instant. Life is short so savor the special moments.

I wish that I had been more of a leader than a follower. I was too easily led. Not that I did things that were really bad but I let people influence me to do things that, as it turned out I didn’t like. I wasted a lot of time doing things that didn’t improve me. Listen to your own heart.

I wish I had learned to let go of people and relationships sooner. When you first meet someone, you don’t know if the relationship will be a good one or not. Some relationships will never work and can be harmful to you in the end. Being able to recognize bad relationships and ending them sooner will be healthier for you in the end. Ask yourself if this is right for you and listen if the answer is no.

There are no do-overs in life so all that you can do is start fresh from this moment forward. With all of my flaws and shortcomings, I’m moving on from here.

Larry