JANUARY: If I Had My Life to Live Over
If I Had My Life to Live Over by Nadine Stair, age 85
“I’d like to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I would loosen up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously, including myself. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had it to do 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."
January is a good time to reflect on the choices we make in the present time and going forward. In this conversation, the point isn't to decide to work more or less, to eat more ice cream or fewer beans. Rather, the author’s life reflection invites us to become ever more intentional in how we spend our time.
You can choose how you want to approach this conversation in your group. One way is to reflect on the four categories from the P-I-E-S framework. Each area represents one part of a well-balanced life: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As you consider each of the P-I-E-S frames, what choices, pursuits, or dedications would provide you with more X and less Y?
Physical (well-being, health)
Intellectual (range, depth, discipline)
Emotional (regulation, relational generosity)
Spiritual (awe, wonder, and reverence for life)
2. Take another look at the graphic for January’s meeting topic. It’s about being the reason someone else feels more loved, seen, and heard. It’s about your way of being in relation to others. In what relationship could you be more generous, without cost or compromise to your needs?
3. Not to forget the things you already have, what are you grateful for as this new year begins?
4. Take a moment to summarize and sanctify the group’s insights from this conversation.
5. Takeaways?