"Repeats?" - Time Out #25

Ready to play one of life's most exciting games you really won't ever be able to play??? It's much like hitting the Powerball Lottery, impossible to pull off but SO much fun to constantly think about. I know the absolute suspense is killing you, so here it is....... If you had it all to do over again, would you??? Wow, that is an absolute bombshell of a question to be sure. It covers lots of possible subjects, but let's just concentrate on the biggies---occupations, spouses, children, living locations and lifestyles. Remember, relatives, schools, and growing-up neighborhoods were totally out of your control. Your decision-making didn't figure into these choices. To put it simply, those choices were not of your making. The others previously listed, however, were pretty much totally decisions you made out of life's alphabet soup choices. I didn't say in all cases, those have been easy calls , simply YOU were responsible for making them. How quickly I digressed, huh? That's easy to do in the aging process as some of you are well aware. Back to the lesson at hand; if given the chance, what things would you have done different? The occupations question is probably the easiest one, realizing most Americans do not like what they do for a living. I didn't say that was all right, I merely said they are not happy with their occupational lot in life. Lots of that discontent begins in higher education when switching majors and courses of study is like changing a television channel. Finally, that degree/certificate is obtained after too many years or too much student debt, and the person enters the real world. Many times they quickly (?) discover they don't like what they studied in school, and gain employment in something completely different. All these efforts put forth to try to gain job satisfaction and happiness. How many times, too, have you read an obituary about someone who had many different types of employment in his/her life? Again, seeking that Holy Grail of job satisfaction. Since we're being totally honest with each other, of course, yes, I love what I have done for over 45 years. No, it's not perfect, just very fulfilling for me. Ahhhh....this second one, spouse selection will certainly spark lots of fireworks! With multiple marriages being the norm for years now, this is probably the easiest to answer for many; yes, this would be a definite change area, i.e., a do-over. Don't forget, we can't really change the past, this is just a game. Those that think this change is really possible should seek out professional help and/or powerful medication. Moving on to children. We have all had our ups and downs with these people if we chose to have them, You win some, you lose some and some are rained out as it is frequently said, but what IS for certain, through it all, our kids are our kids now and forever more. However, how many children you chose to have might be up for debate in our game? Living locations, that is to say what part of Planet Earth you choose to live, may not be totally your call due to your employment (doubters, please re-read previous comments). If you are not self-employed, you may have to live in a certain location. But in the end, choice is exercised, and do you like your choice? Completing our brief list is lifestyles. This is possibly the most interesting of the group because it basically deals with your personality. Are you sedentary and like to stay around home a great deal, or are you adventurous, wanting to experience new people, places and things? Do you like to eat and sometimes pay the long-term penalty for that trait, or are you hyperactive and never stand still mentally or physically? Are you an easy talker or a loner? The list of personality traits is almost endless. Interesting, too, is most mental health folks believe you are basically the person you are today by a mere 6-years-old. Of course, they believe you may alter your mental structure some, moving older from 6, but it requires lots of effort on your part. Speaking of effort, this make-believe game I constructed has just about worn me out. Besides, your life is what you make of it, right???