Have you ever caught yourself muttering “if only…”?

If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.

— Mercedes Lackey

I suspect that many of us have a secret list crammed with things that we’d love to do – if only…

If only I had a better job.

If only I had more money.

If only I had a new car.

If only I had more time off.

If only I had a university degree.

If only I had money for a vacation.

If only I was skinnier.

If only I had more clothes…

— Catherine Pulsifer

But surely there is enough time, money, skills, help, wherewithal and/or whatever to do something from that if-only-list… if only we would create a clear vision of which something’s matter most to us.  Instead of regret, let us heed the words of Jenny Joseph:

Warning

• When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
• With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
• And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
• And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
• I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
• And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
• And run my stick along the public railings
• And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
• I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
• And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
• And learn to spit.

• You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
• And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
• Or only bread and pickle for a week
• And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

• But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
• And pay our rent and not swear in the street
• And set a good example for the children.
• We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

• But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
• So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
• When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Let Us Practice a Little Now

I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour.  I dripped it carelessly, Ah!  I didn’t know, I held opportunity.

— Hazel Lee

I invite you to turn your attention toward what matters for you… to look at those if-only-lists and clearly see which things you’ll regret not doing… and then, use the moments of your life to do something that matters – even if all you can do is take a first step.  Do it now, today.  And every day, do something, however small, that matters.  Make it a habit.

Stop muttering “if only” and start saying, “I’m so glad I did!”