“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain
Inspiring words, no matter your age. And although I cannot yet say that I am examining my life from the perspective of 20 years ago … I believe I am far enough to say that I wholeheartedly agree with him. Ideally each one of us would look back on our lives and feel no disappointment whatsoever. But realistically, when we do look back—if there is any disappointment present—it most likely lies within the things we did NOT do rather than those we DID do.
The opportunity we did not explore… The path we did not take… The dream we did not chase. The place we did not go… The thing we did not say…
On the night before I went off to college, I sat on my bed journaling. I was thrilled about all of the things that were in front of me. It may sound cliché, but I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. The world was my oyster. Places to go, people to meet and experiences to have. Trying to capture my excitement in ink, I wrote the following: “I feel as though my life is rolled out in front of me like a warm and welcoming stretch of highway. I cannot wait to see where it will lead! Soon these things will be over and the pages of this journal will be full and everything will be a memory.”
I am twice as old today than I was when I penned those words. I am grateful that I grasped that concept when I was only 18 because those very pages are now full of some awesome memories. But I just can’t believe how quickly they filled! As we age and the restrictions of responsibilities creep in, it becomes more challenging to adopt Twain’s philosophy, but it’s not impossible. I believe that his words are not only for the young. As long as we’re breathing there are pages left to fill. Starting now… Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Woman In Thrisis 
Great post… I have so many journals that I don´t have where to put them…but I will not trade them for anything… I want to keep my memories to share with my family…
XX
They are priceless… and so fun to read later on. Thank you for reading and for sharing!!
So very true…
Hi Katy!! Now if only there were a way to sail away every day, right?
Thanks for these words … exactly what I needed today!
Thanks for sharing that Paige. It is something I have to remind myself of every day… and I’m afraid I don’t always do that good a job of it! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You are right, we all know this somewhere inside. But for me, going off to college was bewildering – I had no idea how to be “me.” You are lucky and plucky for that thrill you felt, preparing for that first day!
p.s. It took a few years, but I did learn how to be “me.” And I rather like myself!
I don’t think I knew how to be “me” either… and I’m not sure I do even still. But it has never stopped me from trying things. Thank you for reading and for sharing!
Great Post & Totally Agree. My spouse and I were on that career track trying to race as fast up the ladder as possible and then a move derailed us on to whole better track. Life is too short not to live, travel, explore & adventure – so instead of working 60 hours a week now work 40 hours a week and travel. We hear both of our parents say someday we will go there, someday we will visit so and so. We are not waiting and try to travel at least 6 times a year (small, medium & large trips). We are such happier people because we have taken a break from the rat race. Take Care – Again Great Post – really makes you think and reflect.
Thank you Renee. It is great that you and your spouse have that going for you and that you can take so many trips! Thanks for reading and commenting 😉
Very nice! I too grasped this concept at a young age and am grateful for my journaling. But you are right you are never too old!
I hope we are still journaling when we are 99! Thank you 🙂
Hmmm well fifteen or so years ago I wanted to move to somewhere totally new and adventurous. Hubby didn’t. Now he does. We have our second grandchild on the way! No way am I leaving now. I can’t even think about it. 😦
Sounds like lots of vacationing may be your compromise now, right?