This story was reproduced on the website www. literacytools.com although it was written by an eighty
year old lady, anonymously.
' If I had my life over, I'd make more mistakes next time. I would relax, I would limber up and I would be
sillier than I have been on this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would laugh more and cry
less. I would worry less about what others thought of me and would accept myself as I am.
I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch sunsets. I would eat ice creams and less beans.
I would watch less TV and have more picnics. I would have only actual troubles and few imaginary ones. I would feel only sad,
not depressed. I would be concerned, not anxious, annoyed, not angry. I would regret my mistakes but
not feel guilty about them. I would tell more people I like them. I would touch my friends. I would forgive others
for being human and would not hold grudges. I would play with more children and listen to more old people. I would
go after what I really wanted without believing I needed it and I wouldn't place such great value on money.
I would express my feelings of love without fear.
If I had my lifeover, I would start barefoot in Spring and stay that way in Autumn. I would
play hook more. I would ride more merry -go- rounds.
I'd pick more daisies and I would smile because I would be 'living free'
