If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Nadine Stair (at age 85)
View Pacific 
Great advice – I love it! ❤
Diana xo
We all live the only life we could; regrets are futile, though Nadine’s self-awareness is commendable indeed.
….I first stumbled over these few lines on a hike up a rugged path in the Bavarian alpine region. I hiked with an old friend of mine and we made a small detour looking for a little wayside shrine that he had heard about, but had not been able to find before. The small path that we detected, was overgrown by ferns and moss and he wanted to turn around, sure we were not right, but I persisted to ‘just look around the next bend’, and the next and the next… and there it was, a little wooden bench and the tiny shrine… with the ‘summit book’, traditional in those mountains.
We set down, overlooking the whole valley and the suasive late October sun was caressing our faces with his golden glow. I wanted to spread my wings and soar towards him like Icarus.
On the very first page, actually in the binding of the book, I found “Start Barefoot Earlier” and it made me sad and happy at the same time. Sad to be reminded how much of life’s potential is lived, reasoning away it’s very essence and happy to be reminded that every single day, every moment, we can choose to start barefoot earlier in the spring and travel lightly… every moment, one after another…
Dear Drea,
Thanks for sharing that image of that October sun. I can imagine you in fact spreading your wings like Icarus, and soaring toward him. Unlike Icarus, in my vision you continue to fly higher or lower as you will, following the winds and leading with inspiration.
It’s a wonder to follow the less-busy paths, thereby finding the prize of discoveries such as that tiny shrine. I wonder if you also saw any tracks of bare feet.
Yes, it can be sad to see others keeping their bare feet covered in fear of painful pebbles (or other fears). Might we be happy that others have the chance to come alive in any moment even if they have not done so in the past? Might we cultivate our joy as we welcome each new barefoot higher?