something to think about

[susie]

someone sent this to me, thought it was something to think about...........

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma
>Bombeck

(written after she found out she had 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 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 yous." More
>"I'm sorrys."
>
>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. I hope you all
>have a blessed day.
>
> Beautiful Women's Month
> 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. Please send this to five phenomenal
>women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month. If you do, something
>good will happen: you will boost another woman's self esteem.
>
>


----------------------------------------------------------------------------=

[Vonda]

Thats great!

[annag]

that was great brough a tear to my eye. It reminded me of this poem by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old women I shall wear purple
With a red hat that dosen't go and dosen't suit me
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals,and say we've no money for butter.
Ishall sit on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens and learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three ponds of sausage at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not to shocked and surpised
When suddenly I am old and strat to wear purple.

[susie]

I like that one too Anna, I love all that kind of stuff, I have a book of chicken soup for the soul, I love it!

Susie
x

[francoise]

god that was awesome , i got right into those , they are very thought provoking and should be read by everyone

brought a tear to my eye to


francoise

[cokey]

Loved both of those. If only we could let go alittle more.

Cokey xxx

[susie not logged]

My Previous Life
By Gayle Sorensen Stringer

In my previous life, before I was reincarnated as a mother of three, I wore clothes that fit and matched. I wore makeup and curled my hair every day. But no one gave me graham cracker kisses. No one ever told me how pretty I looked in sweats.

In my previous life, I read Time magazine and the newspaper. My repartee of regular television viewing transcended Arthur and The Magic School Bus, and I devoured all the best selling novels. But no one asked me to read The Velveteen Rabbit at bedtime. No one ever requested The Little Engine that Could.

In my previous life, I had a career and friends who were more than three feet tall. People asked for my opinions and entrusted me with important projects and confidential information. I had conversations where not once was mentioned snacks or potties or play dates. But no one asked me my favorite color or why the sky is so blue. No one ever wanted me to sing.

In my previous life, I had a life. I frequented aerobics classes, restaurants and the theater. I hosted parties where the themes had nothing to do with Star Wars or Winnie-the-Pooh. I shopped for myself and slept late on weekends. But no one made me Valentine cards. No one ever gave me dandelion bouquets.

In my previous life, I traveled, and my destinations did not hinge on theme parks or swimming pools or nap schedules. The Mayan ruins of the Yucatan, snorkeling in the Caribbean, museum hopping in Italy, Kabuki Theater in Japan...these were my playgrounds. I was the queen of the road and my destiny. But no one asked me to push the swing higher. No one ever invited me to splash in puddles or roll in the snow.

In my previous life, I held my emotions in check. I did not stomp my feet or grit my teeth. I could not easily be diminished to tears or tirades. I considered my demeanor as laid-back and easygoing. But, no one made me care enough to cry. No one ever just loved me, anyway.

In my previous life, I was free. I could carve my own path and follow my dreams. Nothing stood in my way. But the path was unsure and the vision blurred. No one ever gave me purpose enough to soar. Now, I endlessly rearrange piles of laundry, crumbs and toys. I am pulled and tugged, hassled and harassed, stepped on and sat upon, and desperate for some solitude. I am jean-clad and juice-stained, bleary-eyed and graying, underpaid and overwhelmed. And, sometimes I wonder who I am and what I've become. Then, one of my children shouts, "Mommy, I need you!" and it is perfectly clear.

I am the center of the Universe. I am MOM.

[Vonda]

Susie not logged on - that was amazing- where did you find it?

Vonda

[susie]

Hi Vonda,

I found it in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, I have a few of them, some nice stuff but some of it is too slushy or cheesy even for me!

Susie
x

[cokey]

Susie

That was weird reading that because it felt like I was the person before and now I am the person after. I guess most of us feel like that but it is nice to know that we are not alone.

I wouldn't chnage my life back to what it was but why is the grass always greener? Or do we think that? Perhaps we would just like a snippet of our free time every so often.

Cokey xxx

[susie]

Hi Cokey,

I know what you mean, thats how I always feel reading it, the before and after, like you say although I wouldn't trade what I have now, a little of before would be nice!

Susie
x