Inspiration for Women

[genuine]

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
>>>
>>> (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
>>>
>>> I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending
>>> the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the
>>> day.
>>>
>>> I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before
>>> it melted in storage.
>>>
>>> I would have talked less and listened more.
>>>
>>> I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet
>>> was stained, or the sofa faded.
>>>
>>> I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and
>>> worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in
>>> the fireplace.
>>>
>>> I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble
>>> about his youth.
>>>
>>> I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my
>>> husband.
>>>
>>> I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a
>>> summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
>>>
>>> I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
>>>
>>> I would have cried and laughed less while watching television
>>> and more while watching life.
>>>
>>> I would never have bought anything just because it was
>>> practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
>>>
>>> Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have
>>> cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside
>>> me was the only chance in life anyone ever gets to assist God in a
>>> miracle.
>>>
>>> When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said,
>>> "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I
>>> love you's." More "I'm sorry's."
>>>
>>> But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every
>>> minute...look at it and really see it ... live it .and never give it
>>> back. Stop sweating the small stuff.
>>>
>>> Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's
>>> doing what.
>>>
>>> Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who
>>> do love us.
>>>
>>> Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are
>>> doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally,
>>> as well.
>>>
>>> We have one shot at this and then it's gone. I hope you all have
>>> a blessed day.
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.
>>>
>>> Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
>>>
>>> Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I
>>> can't go to school looking like this!)
>>>
>>> Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too
>>> short/too tall, too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out
>>> anyway.
>>>
>>> Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too
>>> short/too tall, too straight/too curly" - but decides she doesn't have
>>> time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.
>>>
>>> Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "clean" and goes out
>>> anyway.
>>>
>>> Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever
>>> she wants to go.
>>>
>>> Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the
>>> people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and
>>> conquers the world.
>>>
>>> Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and
>>> ability, goes out and enjoys life.
>>>
>>> Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and
>>> goes out to have fun with the world.
>>>
>>> Send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as
>>> friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.

[Lachlan]

Thanks for the post Genuine. Whilst I'm not a woman, I've certainly had my fair share of 'unburnt candles' melting in storage. I just joined this network an hour or so ago, because I feel I have lost my sense of expansive appreciation and wonder. Your post was the first thing I read in here after joining and it was just perfect.

Funny thing is, I haven't lost my sense of wonder for the 'small' moments in Nature. Every day, as I ride my bike to work I admire the clouds moving over the mountains on the horizon, I listen to the currawongs (like a small crow) singing their territory, and I feel the coolness of the winter air wake up my skin. Yet, in my aspirations to achieve at work, and 'provide' for my family, I have lost my expansion into the wider community, and into the lives of those I am around. In the shopping mall, I am sure I miss that random smile directed at me. I miss the fleeting moment to say a few words to a stranger in a queue. And I miss those moments to share a kiss with those who are nearest to me.

So, I will be grabbing my 'purple hat' for the next 29 days. Thanks Genuine for starting me off.
Cheers all.
Lachlan.

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Welcome to 29 Gifts. Enjoy yourself. Can't wait to read some stories from you!

[Peter]

This is a beautiful give genuine.

So why don't we own and wear purple hats before we get to age 80?

[genuine]

I don't know, Peter ... I guess because when we're young we have the idea that what other people think matters. We could probably learn a lot from 80-year-olds. Or is it one of those things that you can't really learn from someone else, something you just have to come to on your own?

[Peter]

I take my purple hat of to you genuine, I think you are right, it is something we come to ourselves. It is nfortunate that it takes 80 years to come back to being more secure in your own view than the view of others.
namaste