I remember very clearly the week my dad’s mother died. At the time, I was eight or nine years old. It was my birthday week.

My grandmother had been ill, in the hospital for a while, and we had driven from Houston, Texas, to Alexandria, Louisiana, to visit her. My parents snuck me up to her hospital room to say good-bye. I remember my mother speaking to me behind closed doors in a bedroom at my grandfather’s house, saying, “I know this is your birthday week, and we will get to that later.”

As a little kid, I told her I wanted my birthday presents!

As an adult, I’d like a do-over on that. I would like to be able to go back to that moment, and tell my mom, “Don’t worry about my birthday. Grandma’s dying, she’s never going to have any more birthdays.”

How many of us have wanted a do-over in life? I suspect that would be most of us.

Unfortunately, as human beings we don’t get that luxury.

Be mindful of this and take advantage of the present moment. Be the best version of yourself, and you won’t spend too much time regretting missed opportunities to be kind, empathetic, and compassionate.

What experiences have led you to want a do-over?

Please click here to email me directly – I would love to know about your own experiences.

Until next Wednesday,

Peace,

Eric