Living Life Backwards

Living Life Backwards

One day I was sitting at my desk and contemplating the old sayings, “Hindsight’s 20/20,” and “If I knew then what I know now,” when I came to the conclusion that I would like the opportunity to live my life backwards.

What would I do with this power? It would be a great responsibility. I thought about it long and hard, and this is what I came up with:
I would tell the lady who was run over by a car and killed as she jogged down my street in the early morning hours to jog on the other side of the road--if only for today.
I would pick just the right numbers to win the Powerball jackpot. What to do with the money after I won would require a little more thought.
I would shove a huge stick in the spokes of the jerk who yelled, “Get the fuck over!” as he rode past me on the greenbelt last summer.
I would tell my friend who was killed last year in a car accident not to drink and drive--especially tonight. Your wife and children love and need you, and they will miss you dearly.
I would call and visit my grandmother more while she still knew who I was.
I would flash Chad Kroeger at that Nickelback concert I attended in Salt Lake City in 2004 instead of just thinking about it.
I would warn the “Powers That Be” on the morning on 9/11.
I would discover Nick Drake before the age of 33.
I would watch every episode of Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond and Roseanne.
I would not waste 3 years of my life with “him.”
I would be a better daughter, sister, neighbor, wife, mother, friend.
I would laugh more and worry less.
I would attend my college graduation instead of getting drunk.
I wouldn’t back through the plate glass window of that bicycle shop while driving my boss’s car (that’s gonna leave a mark).
I would make time to read more.
I wouldn’t get pregnant at 17. Wisdom comes with age and experience, and one thing I’ve learned over the years is that although I love my daughter dearly and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world, becoming a mother is a monumental responsibility that no 18-year-old child should have to experience.
I would still tell Adam Campbell in the 5th grade, “Sure. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” and then run like hell after he fulfilled his end of the bargain.
I would relive my childhood with the enthusiasm and energy that only children are graced with, except this time I’d savor every moment because I would know that life will never again be so simple and beautiful as it is at this very moment.

I know it sounds cliché, but life is so short! We have just a moment-- a flicker of time on this Earth to make a difference--to leave our mark. Perhaps if we contemplate the concepts of, “Hindsight’s always 20/20” and “If I knew then what I know now…” NOW instead of later we won’t have to ponder the idea of living our lives backwards. I for one would like to be able to lie on my death bed and NOT have to say, “If only I’d….”