Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff



Erma Bombeck. You have to love her. I remember mom had her book "If Life was a Bowlfull of Cherries, I'd be Stuck with the Pits." I would pick it up for the title alone. Her love of life, her observational humor, the way she didn't take herself too seriously no matter how famous she got.... It's something that's missing in the world lately. I miss it. Anyway, here's Erma talking about priorities:


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's'; more 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day .

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ouch, that hurt my toe's that is some good advice. I guess for me quit wining and just be happy should be posted up all over my house to daily remind me.
Thanks for sharing.

Kay

carmilevy said...

I miss her so much. She was a fountain of blessed common sense in a world that so desperately needed it. We still do, come to think of it.

I'm going to roll around in the grass tomorrow in honor of her. And of you.

Thanks, Stacy! I needed that.

Anonymous said...

B"H

Hi Stacy,

Just browsing around here and there and happened on your site. I am a fairly regular reader of Charity's site, so that's the link between us.

I also appreciated Erma B. I thought that she was an extremely funny writer and a very insightful person. I'm glad for the wisdom she shared and the gentle prompting to reconsider what is truly important in life.

Thanks for sharing and be blessed,

Shlomo