Moments (Borges) - Education and Life Skills

Jorge Luis Borges

If I could live my life again.

Next time,

I would try to make more mistakes.

I would not try to be so perfect,

I would relax more.

I would be sillier than I have been.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would be less fastidious.

Accept more risks,

I would take more trips,

Contemplate more evenings,

Climb more mountains,

and swim more rivers…

I would go to more places where I have not been,

Eat more ice cream and fewer beans.

I would have more real problems

and less imaginary ones.

I was one of those people who lived

sensibly and meticulously every minute of their life.

Of course I have had moments of happiness.

But if I could go back in time, I would try to

have good moments only,

and not waste precious time.

I was someone never went

anywhere without a thermometer,

a hot water bag,

an umbrella and a parachute.

If I could live again,

I would travel more frivolously.

If I could live again,

I would begin to walk barefoot

at the beginning of the spring

and I would continue to do so until the end of autumn.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds,

I would contemplate more evenings

and I would play with more children.

If I could have another life ahead.

But I am 85 years old you see,

and I know that I am dying.