Thursday, July 24, 2008
I'd Pick More Daisies
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I’d Pick More Daisies
If I had my life to live over, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, 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 am one of those people who lives prophylactically and sanely and sensibly, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I have had my moments and, if I had to do it all 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 each day. I have been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it over again, I would go to places and do things and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start bare-footed earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would play hooky more. I wouldn’t make such good grades except by accident. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I’d pick more daisies.
Attributed to the late Nadine Stair from Louiseville
Malcolm Jarvis, Nordic Walker Leeds UK
A few years ago, whilst taking part in a post grad course on management, I recollect one of our tutors giving us a sheet of paper containing a particular inspirational text. It is said to have been written by the late Nadine Stair of Louiseville when she was 85 years old. I have always kept it, and I found it this morning whilst sorting out some papers at home.
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Whilst out on my usual Nordic Walk during the afternoon I was constantly reminded by some of the sentiments contained in the text. Primarily the feeling about being "in the present". Nordic Walking seems to promote those kinds of feelings.
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So, I thought I would share it with you. You may, or may not like it, but here it is:
I’d Pick More Daisies
If I had my life to live over, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, 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 am one of those people who lives prophylactically and sanely and sensibly, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I have had my moments and, if I had to do it all 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 each day. I have been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it over again, I would go to places and do things and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start bare-footed earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would play hooky more. I wouldn’t make such good grades except by accident. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I’d pick more daisies.
Attributed to the late Nadine Stair from Louiseville
Malcolm Jarvis, Nordic Walker Leeds UK
