Do you ever have moments where you wish you had a Do-Over? Or perhaps just pick a few things from your life and do a little rearranging of the timeline?
I guess I have been having too many pity-parties for myself lately. Thinking about where I am today and how I got here has really got me thinking about Do-Overs. Sometimes, I wish I could have just a Do-Over. Of course, that would only work *IF* I could take what I've learned back with me too. Thus, today's post.
If I was given the chance for a Do-Over, I would pick up my life at age 18. That's where the rearranging would come into play.
1) First I'd finish school. The way I did it was start school and then get married, with the intentions of finishing. But, children came and money was tight, and I worked instead of going back. So, first I'd Finish School.
2) Then I would Get Married. Yes. If I could rearrange events in my life, I would get married around or after graduation. I would have been more mature (hopefully) and perhaps would have known more about the choices I was making (or not making). As it was, I got married at 19.
On paper it doesn't look so bad; to only want to rearrange 2 things. But, you have to admit, they are pretty big things.
On the other hand, I suppose I should be grateful in part for the struggles I have endured as a result of my choices; for they have made me into what I am today. However, a pity party sounds like much more fun at the moment. And hey - It's my party, so I'll cry if I want to, right?
What about you? What things do you wish you could rearrange in your timeline? Where would you like your do-over to start?
19 comments:
OOOH, me first!
Lets see...........well, there was that one thing......oh, and then that oh so embarrassing moment when I .......ahhhh, nevermind.
I too am careful when I think about what I would rearrange. I did things that made life hard at times but would not want to do anything that would change other things that have been great blessings in my life.
One funny do-over story: In Junior High I had a funny "insult" book(I dunno why) that had red edged pages. Its cover got ripped and so I re-covered it with Black construction paper. I guess it looked like a bible. Some "cool" girls came over and asked if I was reading the bible?(I think they were actually trying to be nice) Anyway, I opened this big ole mouth and said in a Dwight Shroot(from the office) voice, "NO, its an insult book to insult you with! I was so with it and happening. Just one of the many reasons I was not part of that "Popular" crowd.
Whew! sorry about how long this was.
You may find this sad - or possibly frightening - but I actually spend a lot of time thinking about the "space/time continum" and how different things would be if I had a Do-Over. So, although I'd love to go back to my 18 year old self and wring my stinking neck for NOT taking a full ride scholarship (because it was so important to me to hang out with my friends)I worry that if I could it would change everything in my life today. I would have never met my husband had I gone right off to school, because he wasn't the kind of guy back then to be chillin' on any campus. That would have meant no surprise baby (my son), no quick shotgun wedding, no daughter, no fifteen years of being with the guy who wasn't the guy to start with, but turned out to really be The Guy.
Of course, think of all the money I wouldn't be spending now to put myself through school... *sigh*
The list is toooooo long...
but hindsight is always 20/20, and who's to say that if things had turned out any differently, that it means they would be any better??
(this is how I comfort myself..)
So YOUR Do Over sounds exactly like what my Do Over would be! I can completely relate!
I have do-overs from about the age of 15.
But I'm with you on the first two:
finish school
get married AFTER school
oh, and
have PLANNED pregnancies. (novel idea, I know)
the only thing i would do over is to relax. oh, and yell at the doctors and nurses to take my baby out a week earlier. that would have been nice. i should have insisted. oh, well, happy thoughts.
It's ok to have a pity party every once and a while. I know there are things I would change and not to change who I am but just to make things easier. Sometimes, the struggle is just overwhelming. Finishing school is my biggest thing.
I have things I would love to change but I already lived through them and who's to say worse things wouldn't have happened as a result? Thank goodness it's all in the past.
Well, I don't know about rearranging things in my life. But, if I could go back to my college years, I would actually study and not wait to the last minute to do papers and reading.
I do have things that I wish I'd done differently but I try to keep in mind that it's all a learning experience and hopefully my mistakes have made me who I am (which ain't HALF bad) and maybe I can teach my kids to do better.
Realistically though I'm not sure MY mistakes won't be repeated (by the kiddos) because when you're young you just only think about the NOW. I just hope i can drill it into my kids that THEIR lives willl be so much easier if they do the college thing, THEN marriage. I too, married first. I had 3 kids cheering for me in the stand when I graduated. Hopefully at least they can see that I do value education and I put my money where my mouth was. It was hard and it took FOREVER to get a measley two year degree but I got it. I'm still considering going back to school this summer or fall to get the last two years done. Don't know how I'll manage it or IF I'll even figure out a way but I'm pondering on the idea because the economy sucks and dh's job is teetering on the edge. Yes, it would have been nice if I'd had my head on straight back then and I wouldn't have this dilemna
Well, hell.. at least you got three beautiful children out of this deal. ;)
I wish I could take the knowledge and self-confidence and weight (I was a chubby little 6th grader) back to junior high and strut my 11/12-year-old stuff through the halls.
But I in know way really want to go back to junior high or high school. So I think I'll just accept the way that things turned out.
I'm pretty happy about that part.
Gimme' some time though. There is a lot of life left.... Haha!
I think sometimes it would be nice to be able to have a do over, but than I think what would of changed if I did things over? You know like the butterfly affect thing. So even though it would be nice to do over somethings I think I am ok with my life as is. The biggest thing is probably going to college.
I think you should get one big do-over in life...but I'm with your sisters...who knows what would change as a result. So...I will be happy with my life and try to make the rest better. But, you know me, I'm always up for a party..so count me in next time:)
If I could have a "do over" I would start at the beginning of my Senior year in High School. I would get my Eagle Scout (I was soooo close). I would have been better about saving and investing money (Imagine what Microsoft Stock purchased in 1988 would be worth.
I often think about how my life would be different had I served an LDS Mission. I'm not sure. I don't know if I would be in the right place to meet my wonderful wife if I didn't have an anti-organized religon angst.
Hmmmm, do-overs. That's kinda the same thing as a mulligan in golf right? Good thing my life is a lot better then my golf game! Gosh, the only do-over I would do is get married outside of my religion so that my dad could give me away at my wedding. I'm no longer part of that religion now and really regret that decision!
Oh goodness, don't we all need do-overs? I would re-do high school: no drinking, no boys! I was not a good kid. I would have treated my parents better, too.
And, thanks for sticking with me and commenting. I don't know if the MOVIE Marley & Me is any good. I won't promise anything (although it does look good). I'm just reading the book. Wanted to clarify in case the movie sucks and you were mad at a good write-up. lol.
My Do-Over is similar to yours. I walked away from a full-ride nursing scholarship to the U. Long story but it is one of my BIG life regrets. But then again I would not be where I am today, happily married, 2 great kids and a life that I never would have had if I followed my original plans. So I guess it is all for our own good, these lessons we learned the really hard way. Great post though, I might have to steel the idea......
My Do-Overs:
I would have gone on to get my Masters in Music right after graduation. Instead, I waited and waited to get married and let 7 years go by without going back to school :)
My biggest Do-Over wish would be to not have been such a slacker when it came to college...I got to go for 5 years AND all 5 years were paid for via Pell Grants and Scholarships and all I did was waste the day away at the beach...I'm pathetic!! I wish I would've been more disciplined and finished school when I had the means to do it. Now if I were to go back, I'd pretty much have to take out loans :(.
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