Читать книгу Creating Happiness Intentionally - Sandy MacGregor - Страница 7

Introduction

Happiness is important to all of us. It is trite to say that we only get one shot at it. The fact is, no matter what our outward circumstances, we have to decide to be happy and achieve happiness all in the short space of our lifetime.

Imagine the frustration you would feel as an elderly person reviewing the course of your life and concluding you had spent most of it in wasted effort. I have been told by a palliative care worker that the people who have the hardest time coming to terms with death are those who have regrets, those who have not fulfilled their purpose. It is a fundamental question you need to address in life – we all have only one shot at it.

Here are the anonymous thoughts of a 90 year old woman who was obviously going through a process of reviewing her life.

“I’d Pick More Daisies”

If I had my life over, I’d pick more daisies. I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would be sillier than I had been this trip. I would relax. I would limber up. I know very few things I would take seriously. I would take more trips, travel lighter …… I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets. I would eat more ice-cream and less beans!

I would have more ACTUAL troubles and fewer IMAGINARY ones.

You see, I’m one of those people who live practically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day …

Oh! I’ve had my mad 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 the other, instead of living so many minutes ahead. I’ve been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat and road maps.

If I had my life over, I would start barefooted early in Spring and stay that way until late Autumn. I’d play truant more. I’d do more water and sun-fun things. I’d turn more somersaults and roll in the grass and go barefoot all over.

If I had my life to live over, I’d spend more time at fun places. I’d try to be more in touch with God and those I love. I’d pray aloud more and not care what people think or expect of me. I’d give more of me and take more of you. I’d just be ME more and more … Yes, I’d pick more daisies next time.