Yep, that was me at about 14 years old. If I knew while I was in my high school and young adult life what I know now – I would have lived quite differently. I’ll bet you would have, as well. Here is an abbreviated list of what I would have done, had I only known then, what I know today:
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I would have sought after the Divine’s plan for my life, and set my ego and pride on the shelf. Not to have been more successful, but to have been more grateful. I might have actually left a legacy of far greater consequence than I will.
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I would have spent more quality time with my Dad. Dad was far from perfect, but there was never any doubt that Dad did everything he possibly could have done for me. Not a single day passes in which I want to call my Dad.
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I would have been far less sarcastic and critical in my conversations. In an effort to be something I truly wasn’t, I often hid behind false bravado and less than encouraging conversation.
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I would have listened and acted on older men telling me to get my weight under control before turning 40, as it’s so much harder to lose weight in your mid-life years. Man, they all were right!
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I would have developed spiritual habits. I would have been the person that trusts in prayer that I am today. It’s amazing what brokenness does to increase your prayer life! And I would have spent more time in the Bible. It truly is life-altering.
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I would have been a far better Daddy. Rather than all the extra jobs and extra travel to provide for my girls, I would spend more time simply being there with them. I’d give anything I have or have had to go back and be a better Daddy.
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I would have been far, far more grateful for what I had, and spent less time complaining about what I didn’t have.
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I would have spent far less effort to fit in, and far more effort to stand out as a young man of conviction, honor, and courage. I wish I’d have been a friend to some guys that needed someone to stick up for them.
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I would have cared about serving others, and enjoy the Divine’s affirmation, rather than using others to accomplish something that I thought would make me look better. Blowing someone else’s candle out doesn’t make mine shine brighter!
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I would have played every down, every inning and run every race like it was 4th and goal, the bottom of the ninth and the finals of the Olympics. I would have enjoyed every moment of competition far more. I would have worked harder, been more coachable, and dug deeper. My coaches were right. They said that “one day I’d look back and realize that those were the glory days.”
This is just a short list of ten things I would do differently. I think I could continue adding dozens and dozens more to this list. How about you? Is there anything you’d do differently?
I’m of the opinion that many of these things can indeed be learned in our latter years.But the years we waste are gone forever. I’m working on this list now. Want to join me?
–AChuck
