If I were to begin life again, I should want it as it was. I would only open
my eyes a little more. — Jules Renard
my eyes a little more. — Jules Renard
On the speaker’s circuit, I am often asked how would I have done thing differently? It would be foolish for me to say I would do everything the same way, because I do have different eyes than I did before. I see the consequences that certain actions had on my life, and that on my wife and family. Who wouldn’t do a few things differently, that’s why I am always amazed when politician’s who have a severe allergy to admitting ever having made a mistake, say “I have no regrets.” Of course, they do, we all do.
Yet, in the same vein, I’ve had a fantastic life, and if I had the opportunity to do everything over I wouldn’t give up the good in exchange for not having experienced the bad.
I think Renard is talking about having the opportunity not to make the same mistake over and over, which we have all done and are likely to do again. He suggests, and I agree, that when faced with the same set of circumstances we open our eyes a little wider, we see with different eyes where we are headed and do our best to let the wisdom of experience guide our decisions.
Easier said than done, I might add.
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