If I Were Lucky

If I Were Lucky
If I were lucky in this lifetime, I would learn the art of letting go.
I would start with the bathroom scale, that little square joy buster. Gone!
Next would be my watch, keeper of rigid rituals and joyless appointments. Gone!
Perfection, next big hit. Let the housework pile up and invite lots of friends over. Just put the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the living room and leave it there for six months.
Next, get rid of that worry dance I do. The health of my husband, the safety of my children, not enough money, what people think, being alone, not being alone, terrorists, tax collectors, termites . . . get a grip! Let it go.
I would travel the world and take lots of black and white photos of all the wonderful faces.
I would sit on the beach with my friends and eat junky hot dogs.
I would take long walks with my husband through the village to the lighthouse.
Sometimes I would sit quietly on my porch and listen to the birds for hours. Sometimes I would put on jazz or opera and turn it up really loud.
I would surround myself with people who love nature, laughter and dessert.
I would spend my time living large and doing nothing.
I would sit back and enjoy the journey.

Reprinted by permission of Avis Drucker (c) 2002 from Chicken Soup for the Soul Life Lessons.