I'd pick more daisies

I just finished reading "Empires of the Mind" by Denis Waitley.

Good book, lots of great stuff about leadership and success - its a favourite topic of mine.

But it was literally the last few pages that left the biggest impression on me. In a chapter about taking the road best travelled (rather than the road less travelled), it posed the question - What would you do differently if you could live your life again? And it answered that question by referring to an apparently famous piece of verse (that I'd never heard of) that I'd like to share

"I'd pick more daisies" - by Brother Jeremiah

If I could live my life again, I'd laugh at my misfortunes more and at other people's predicaments less.

Spend more time counting my blessings, less time scrutinising my blemishes.

I'd spend more time playing with my children and grandchildren, less time watching professional athletes perform.

More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the things I don't have.

If I could live my life again, I'd walk in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to weather reports.

I'd spend much more time outdoors in small towns and much less tme in tall buildings and big cities.

I'd eat more of everything healthy and delicious, less of everything each meal, saving enough on the bill to feed a starving child.

I'd do more listening and less talking so I could learn to understand rather than being desperate to be heard.

I'd spend more time looking at trees and climbing them, less time flipping through magazines made from dead trees.

If I could live my life again, I'd get more beach sand between my toes and less friction between myself and others.

I'd take more long baths and fewer showers (I can't explain why I've always been in such a hurry to spend my time).

I'd spend more time with old people and animals, less time with strangers and clubs and parties.

I'd act the age of my children and grandchildren more and act my own age less. I'd visit libraries, bookstores, and computer networks more and malls and movie theatres less.

I'd play the piano more and play fewer mindless games like solitaire.

I'd give my spouse and children more tender touches and much less advice.

If I could live my life again, I'd spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less time remembering and anticipating.

I'd be more aware of my core values and life mission, and less concerned with the reasons why I might not measure up.

I'd smile more and frown less.

I'd express my feelings more, try less to impress my friends and neighbors.

I'd forgive and ask forgiveness more, and curse my adversaries less - but most of all I'd be more spontaneous and active, less hesitant and subdued.

When a great idea or spur-of-the-moment adventure popped up- an Easter egg hunt, an open house at school, a game of hide and seek, an opportunity to solve a problem at work or to satisfy a disgruntled customer, a hay ride, a chance to build a snowman or paint over graffiti, an invitation to watch a lunar eclipse or a shuttle launch - I'd be less likely to stay in my chair objecting, "Its not in our plan" and more inclined to jump up and say "Yes, let's"

*****
So.... inspired? Motivated to change? Write down the top 10 takeouts from this piece and just go do it

And if you need some help articulating that warm fuzzy feeling you've got in your heart right now, here's one of my ubiquitous top tens to help you:

1. Diarise one day per week to do something spontaneous. This helps build a habit of looking for opportunities and adventures.
2. Start with the easy ones. Change is hard, so go easy on yourself. Begin with small things like literally stopping to pick a flower, smiling at a stranger in the street or jumping into the bath with your kids fully clothed.
3. Learn from others. Ask that bubbly friend, google "fun spontaneous things to do" or ask your friends for ideas.
4. Don't do it alone. Convince a few friends or family members to join you on this new road best travelled. When you're in it together, it will be easier to come up with ideas and easier to follow them through, as you're all holding each other accountable.
5. Surround yourself with life loving people. Its hard to quit smoking when you're surrounded by smokers, and the same applies here. Surrounding yourself with people who are good at living in the moment will help change your habits permanently. Whether its children, a formal group through church, your community centre or local gym, find a group of people or a selection of individuals you can constantly be inspired by.
6. Give yourself time. It takes at least 30 days to form a new habit and at least one year to make it stick. So don't expect this new lease on life to come easily or quickly - this is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet.
7. Get rid of the roadblocks. Television, junk food, trashy novels, toxic relatives, a dead end job - whatever it is that constantly brings you down, cut it out of your life for good, otherwise it will keep dragging you down no matter how determined you are to succeed.
8. Research. Read blogs, books, academic papers, novels, anything you can get your hands on about living in the present and enjoying life.
9. Smile. Just practicing smiling - especially when you feel like screaming or sobbing - instantly changes your body's chemistry and helps your brain see life more optimistically.
10. Breathe. We do it subconciously and it keeps us alive. Breathing consciously can save your sanity and bring you back into the moment in just seconds. Try it. It's free, its easy, and it could change your life.