I’d Pick More Daisies (by Nadine Stair)

If I had my life to live over, 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 lived 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 persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it 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.


O God, help me to make more mistakes,  to relax, to loosen up, to be sillier, to be lighter, to risk, and to enjoy more.  May I not live sensibly, but heartily.  May I live this moment, and then the next, and the next – one moment after another without regret from the past or fear of the future which robs me of this moment and creates more regret when I look back.  Grant me perspective.  Help me to know I don’t have to control life.  To unclench, to release my grasp and to let go to you.  Help me to trust.  Free me to trust.  To trust in you.  And in trusting – radically, openly, outrageously I will lighten, I will be freer, unburdened and perhaps carefree.

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