“what would you do with your life, if you had another chance?”
this is a fascinating question to me. it assumes a certain amount of introspection. all of us have varying capacities to reflect well on our lives. the question presumes an honesty about how we see ourselves and the life history that has made us who we are. both remembering and looking at our life experiences are not easy tasks.
the question also grazes another question, “what type of person should i have been?” depending on the severity of the disconnect between who we want to be and who we really are, the response to this question can bring regret. some have no regrets at all in their lives; other allow regret to consume them. how much can we let go of the past– especially our mistakes? if regret drives my life, then a chance to re-do my life might be a welcome opportunity as a corrective.
“what would you do with your life, if you had another chance” also implies a purpose to our lives. if i believe that i am fulfilling my life purpose, then there might not be much to re-do. but if my life purpose is murky to begin with, then the question could bring some angst to it.
i believe that we are products of the cumulation and connectedness of our experiences. i am the person i am today as a result of my past– both the good and bad. if one thing is changed in my life, then everything afterwards would have been different too.
and i like the person that i am today (usually)! to be doing something else in the body of arthur is beyond my imagination.
“what would you do with your life, if you had another chance” is a better question for the present. it can be better asked: “since i have been given the gift of a new day, what will i choose to do?”
now this is a question that can lead to a wonderfully grace-filled response. it is where my actions intersect with my desires of who i want to be. it is embracing the totality of my person– the good and the bad– and going beyond it. it is acknowledging the present and a desire to continue and ever improve it. and it will involved risk at some level.
for those of us with faith in God, we see the mystery of providence and the role of the Spirit who ultimately leads and guides us. it is reveling in the gifts of the Spirit as the source of goodness. it is about being graciously grateful for all that is given pure gift.
for us catholics, the sacraments accompany the question “since i have been given the gift of a new day, what will i choose to do?” healing of regrets/hurts/actions can be a grace in the sacrament of reconciliation. the eucharist is an opportunity to become what we receive– the Body of Christ. all of the sacraments bring us our of focusing on only ourselves and turning to serve one another in love.
with the Spirit, our purposes in God are always evolving in different ways if we are open and willing.
let us pray:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus’ way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. Amen
Art and Sol Podcast ... Random Musings 