What If

I was reprimanding myself this morning about not exercising. I have a good excuse for being unable to do some kinds of exercises but there are plenty I can still do with one bad knee and a new knee that’s not fully recovered. Living alone I have two options when it comes to having a conversation. I can talk to the dogs or I can talk to myself. I do both but since it wouldn’t have been very productive to fuss at the dogs about my lack of discipline I said to myself, Sherry what if you had been doing these exercises all along. My response was a big sigh followed by that feeling of I’ve blown it again, I’ve wasted all this time, what the heck is wrong with me. All of that started a discourse in my brain about those two little words, what if. My first thought was I hate those words followed by a hesitation and then a wait a minute. Yes, I thought what if I had, but hold on a minute, what if I do?

I believe those two words are not so little when it comes to retirement. If we allow ourselves to get caught up in all of the what if I had of’s it can cause a life filled with regret and remorse Sure, what if we had saved more, spent less, eaten right, exercised more and a million other things we could have done better. I think the better question to ask ourselves is what if I do? What if I learn to cook healthy foods, start a little exercise program, do that thing I never had time for or just took time to enjoy what I already have. We often hear about not getting caught up in the have nots but I would say it’s equally important not to focus on what life would be like if we had done certain things but instead focus on what it’s going to be because of the what we can and will do. 

Every morning of our lives we are faced with the what ifs. We can ask ourselves what if I had, which often leads to regret that leads to discouragement that many times zaps us of motivation. You know the feeling, what’s the use? Or we can ask ourselves what if I do which leads to possibilities, hope and energizes us to give it a try.

I love this quote. “If the path you’re walking on seems to be leading you to nowhere, stop and choose another. It’s never too late to change direction.” C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” What if we set that goal today or dream that dream? What if we try something new? What if we finally tackle that project we have been putting off forever? What if it turns out wonderful? The possibilities are limitless! Let’s give it a try!