Hi Friend,

I got this email from a close friend of mine today about if I had my life to live over by Erma Bombeck and I wanted to share it with you.

Before I share it with you though, this email got me to thinking about how life passes us by so quickly and like Erma, as I get older, it seems that the little things that used to bug me, are now precious memories. Sometimes, I wonder if I had been able to see back then, what I know now, how I would have treated my life differently. The things that seemed so important back then are not the things that are important to me now. I now don’t worry over the little things as much and my life is so much happier. I know we cannot change our past though but by faith, I am able to make the best of each and every day I have left to live on this earth. I love making a difference in people’s lives and sharing inspiration with others is part of that. I hope today, as you reflect on your past it is for the purpose of living a better tomorrow.

To me, I think of it like this: If we focus on our past for too long, it’s like being the driver of a car who is constantly looking in the rearview mirror. That driver, while looking in the rearview mirror is an important part of driving, will inevitably crash if this becomes their sole driving technique. It is important to check the rearview mirror but more importantly the driver of the car needs to keep their eyes on the road ahead to avoid a crash. This will keep you safe and that is an illustration that helps me when I get stuck starring for long lengths of time at my past. I always remind myself, that I need to take the lessons I have learned from my past, and use them to better my future. I hope you take time to look in the rearview mirror just long enough to keep driving forward into a bright and happy future, the kind of future that you can then look back at just long enough to know that where you have come from has made a difference in the lives of those around you who you love.

Ok, now for the Erma Bombeck email, here it is:

If I had my life to live over by Erma Bombeck:

• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and 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 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 burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I wasn’t there for the day.
• 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 realizing 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 you’s” and 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.

Your Friend,

DL Faith

P.S. Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts about … If I had my life to live over… I look forward to hearing from you.

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