Intentional Joy

Q:  I feel as if life is passing me by.  I can’t seem to convince my husband that there is more to life than work.  What do you think?

A:  Balance seems to be the key for most of us. Enjoying work, intimate relationships, hobbies, and spirituality are all important.  The following is a reprint of a letter from an 84-year old woman that expresses some of your thoughts.

“If I had to live my life over, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax.I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been. I know of few things I would take seriously. I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would have more actual problems and fewer imaginary ones. I would not live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. I have had my moments, and if I had to do it over, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I would go places and do things and travel lighter than I have I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would succeed by accident. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.”