. . . I'D PAY MORE ATTENTION

I posted a few days ago on my social sites that "If I had it to do over again, I'd pay more attention." An original quote, by the way, that came to me one late Friday night when my friend Trish and I were having wine and solving the world's problems. We discussed our own lives too.  And I came to the conclusion that if I had it to do over, knowing what I know now, I'd pay more attention.

Meaning several things . . .

One: I would have seriously considered what to do with my life, would have seriously considered what my dreams were, what I wanted more than anything else, maybe not husband and family, but what would make me the most happy. I would have diligently pursued the creative arts in some capacity: acting, music, writing, painting. Any or all would have made me very happy. As it turns out, I've done some theater, some music, some painting, and a lot of writing. So maybe I'm where I would have arrived at one point anyway.  But if I had begun much earlier, I would be so much further along in my career than I am now.   (A note to the young: recognize your passion and go with it early on.)

Two:  I would have gone on to earn degrees in English and Literature, Dramatic Arts, Music, and Fine Art.

Three:  I would have waited till I was in my late thirties to begin considering a mate, and then again, maybe not even then. Who knows? As it was, I had four children by the time I was twenty-seven, and was married and divorced several times. But I still managed to be creative and attended school in between this and that. If my educational credits were totaled up along with life and job experience credits, I could possibly wring out an undergraduate degree in English and then could go on for the Masters, etc.  But I'm thinking now I really don't need it. I'm doing what I want to do.

Four:  I would have begun world travel much sooner. Although in the past twenty years I've done more than most have done their entire lives. So I feel lucky on that count. But still I would have begun earlier and seen more. I guess I'm greedy.

Oh well, the past is over, no need to dwell on what I wish I would have done.  I can only do what I can and want now.  And I do. I still have dreams though ... and I am still watching them come true.

I'm grateful for my life and all it brings, and eager for more.   But . . . if I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now, I'd have paid more attention.