*If I Knew Then What I Know Now*

We all know that life is more about the journey than the destination. If we could access the life map, would we peek at it and possibly change it or would we leave it profiting from our good and bad times. Didn't our experiences make us who we are today? Would we have taken a detour or stayed the path. Here are my thoughts:

I would have said "I love you" more often to the family I have lost.

I would have been proud of my body as it is, not worry about weight, wrinkles, ageing. I am beautiful and I am loved. I regret wasting time wanting to be something I already was.

I would have learned how to forgive. Carrying anger weighs down your soul and gives your power to the one needing forgiveness.

I would not have rushed to be a teenager, to be a wife, to be a mother. As you age, you want your youth back, want to run in to grass all summer, want to never grow older. I should never have been in such a hurry to grow up.

Today, I wear minimal makeup, run a comb through my hair and spend as much time as I can doing the things that I want. I wish I hadn't worried so much in the past about how I looked or what other people thought.

I would have talked more to my grandparents and older aunts and uncles about our family history and how life was when they were growing up. I could have passed this on to my children and grandchildren who are entitled to their history.

I would not have taken that first puff off of a cigarette. I didn't realize how bad that would affect my health or how hard the habit was to kick.

I would have trodden much more lightly on people's feelings. Many people have fragile feelings, it takes only a smile or a kind word to show your sensitivity and respect.

I would have been more cautious in my choice of partners. I would have insisted on long engagements in order to know one another.

I would learn to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy life...........I was always in such a hurry and I don't know why.

I would have not worried. It never solved a problem and it is wasted energy.

I would have participated in more guilty pleasures!