Today is my BIRTHDAY! When I was younger, I wasn’t big into birthdays because mine was always so close to the holidays that it was usually combined with Christmas or New Year’s. I didn’t really throw a big party because New Year’s EVE was the next day, etc.
But this is not why I’m writing this BLOG. Today marks a new Decade for me. And it also means it’s a time for me to reflect on my 20’s as I enter into my 30’s.
When I was younger, 30 was so old. I looked up to people that were 30 and thought it was OLD. Now that I am there, I don’t look or feel a day over 20, but yet, have more life experience.
One of my favorite poems is entitled, “If I had my life to live Over” by Nadine Stair.
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 live 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 people that never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I would do it over 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.
I was first read this poem the summer before my Senior year of high school on a trip to Australia and New Zealand. When I got home, I found a book with this poem in it, and this poem has stayed with me over the years.
As I reflect on my 20’s, I realized I made mistakes, I have regrets, I wish I would have done things differently. At the same time, I recognize, it was because of these mistakes that made me more aware of who I am today, more aware of what I want out of life, and more aware that I can take chances.
I also recognize that living life with regrets is not a good thing. That at any time we can change the course of our lives if we are unhappy. I did that, it was not easy, and still there are days I truly want to pull my hair out, but I ended up in LA from Minnesota. One of the best decisions of my life.
As I start on this new decade, I dont view it as getting older, I am. The fact is, we all are. Nor do I dread going into my 30’s. Instead, I am embracing them. I look forward to the next 10 years of my life because now that I know who I am a whole lot better, I can just sit back and enjoy the ride a whole lot more. I can put myself out there more than any other time, and I can go after the things I’ve always wanted to. This decade is the start of life, for me.
I look forward to the next 10 years. I look forward to seeing where I’ll end up, what challenges face me in the future, and where life takes me. I look forward to taking more chances, taking more risks, and meeting more people. I look forward to future opportunities, to so much possibility.
It is a reminder today that we are all responsible for our happiness, and we are all responsible for changing our lives if we don’t like it.
For, “If I had my life to live over,” I would truly live it. And this is exactly who I am and what I represent. If I want to go on that carousel, I’m going to go on it. If I want to go to Disneyland, I’m going to go to Disneyland. If I want to go to Seattle, I will go to Seattle. I’ve only got one life to live, so I’m choosing to live it.
Think about your life, think about the things you have not done, and ask yourself why? What is stopping you? It is a reminder today that you can make it happen, and it’s not too late to change.
Happy Friday everyone! =)
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