18 Again?

If you had the opportunity to go back in time, to re-live certain years of your life, would you?

If so, how old would you want to be again? Why?

I'm sure there are some things that many of us would want to change about decisions we made, actions we took, or things we said. But, I've come to realize that all of those things from my past - the good and the not so good - have helped to shape me into the woman I've become. And, I like myself... finally. It took quite a long time, and quite a bit of struggling to grow into the person I am today. Me? I wouldn't go back to re-live any part of my life.

Sure, there were some great moments that would be fantastic to recount, but as a 30 year old wife and mother today, I can honestly say that I would not want to revisit my middle school years, definitely NOT high school, probably not college, and so on and so forth...

I look around me and realize that my generation growing up seemed far ahead of where kids are today. This age of instant communication, immediate feedback, and constant connection because of huge advancements in technology has taken away a lot of good things that many people my age have come to appreciate: patience, awareness of the importance of delayed gratification, manual research to find answers (couldn't 'Google it' back then!), talking with others in the next room instead of texting them, writing a card or letter instead of sending an email, and the list goes on.

I have gained a tremendous sense of independence and responsibility because of the rules my parents instituted in our home growing up. I am respectful and grateful. I don't expect things to just happen for me - I am willing to work toward goals and accept consequences for my actions. Most everyone I know in my generation has these same qualities, and that is pretty awesome!

Would I want to be 18 again? Heck no! There's no use looking back, for me. I love my life as it is today, and I look forward to each and every day to come.

Comments

Scott A said…
I want to go back... only to tell myself NOT to quit band, NOT to quit soccer, and do both through college.

Course, that would change too many things, so many just stay in band.
November 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Anonymous said…
it is true, the decisions we have made in the past have shaped who we are today. however, for some, the decisions we didnt make in the past have not allowed us to become who we want and know we are to be today. sometimes in these messages there is a HIDDEN meaning for you to decipher. because for whatever reason god did not allow us to make a rational decision at that time in our life. and that makes us no less of a person than anyone else. the question isnt "would you go back in your life if you could?" instead maybe, "what would you do differently if you could go back in time?" the prior is just as an unreasonable question as the latter because neither is realistic. until the day comes when either question can be realistic answered, there exists a balance. for every person who does not want to revisit their past, there is someone else at least partially responsible for it; the other 50%. and some of us, the other 50%, wouLd love to jUst say How sorry we are for the pain we have causeD others in oUr past. tHank god for your blessings, and may god continue to watch over your family. you, more than anyone alicia, deserve to be happy.
June 17, 2010 at 10:04 PM
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