I went skiing with my sister at Sun Peaks a number of years ago. I thought of the man we met on the ski lift that weekend. Have you ever met someone and thought, "wow, this person has it all figured out"? He was the operations manager for the resort. His job required that he skied with the customers three days a week. Let me repeat that. His job required he skied three days a week. It had never occurred to me that that was even an option. In a world of people telling you what you should do, this guy was living his dream. Or it must be pretty close. He loved to ski, he loved to talk to people, and he was at least good at operating. It got me thinking about life's should and wishes.
At the end of a life, there the things no one ever says.
The shoulds. No one ever talks about the shoulds.
I should have:
Spent more time folding the laundry
Always emptied the dishwasher
Spent more time at the office
Watched more TV
Had fewer children
Spent less time with friends
Dieted more
Drank fewer lattes
Saved more money
Followed all the rules
Been more practical
Been more sensible
What if should were just excuses? What if, like Joseph Campbell put it, you spend your whole life climbing a ladder, and when you get to the top, find that its agains the wrong wall?
Instead, at the end of a life, there are wishes. Hopes. Dreams. Love.
I wish I had...
More time
Taken a chance
Spent more time with the people I love
Pursed the things that I love
Listened to my gut
Taken the trip
Savored foreign foods
Learned another language
Been the first person on the dance floor
Played more with my kids
Had a family
Learned to play guitar, to ski, to sing
Taken my own path
Found a hobby
Pursued an idea
Started a business
Followed my curiosity
Taken the scenic route
Said yes more often
What if reflection starts now? Today? Not regrets, but a list. A checklist. A punch list One person's wish list, is another's to do list. I love lists. They are beautifully simple.
Why wait?
Why not now?
Why not me?
Why not you?
And instead of wishing, you thought what if I decided?
What if I took a chance?
Acted on an impulse?
Started doing more.
Finding less excuses.
What would your list look like?
What are you waiting for?
Copyright Julie Bennett Creative, LLC
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