I would have talked less and listened more. (I would try), JM

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the caret was stained and 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 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 burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while Watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

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 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 ^"1'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.

I asked God to take away my pride. God said "No". It is not for me to take away, but for yon to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said "No". Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said "No". Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned

I asked God to give me happiness. God said "No". I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said No".

What if; GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank HIM yesterday?

What if; GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow HIM today?

What if; we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain?

What if; GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if, GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if; GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?

What if; the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if; GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if;' GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?

What if; GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if; GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

What if; we failed to send this message on?

HAPPINESS

We convince ourselves that life will he better after we get married, have baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life win he complete when our spouse gets his or her act together when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to he happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to he paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life". This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.

Happiness IS the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time....and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go hack to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids' until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire from work, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or house is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink,, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to he happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination