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We're back, taking calls to answer the question of "Regrets?  Looking back on my life..."  First caller on line one.
  

Radio Personality: So, let's hear it, big fella.  What can you say looking back on your life?

Anonymous:  I'll state it clear...I've lived a life that's...uh...full.  I've traveled down each and every highway...

Radio Personality:  So, you're a traveling man, who lives in cheap motels? Away from the family, huh.  Any regrets?

Anonymous: Regrets?  I've had a few, but then, too few to mention…

Radio Personality: Oh, one of those.  Love 'em and leave 'em? 

Anonymous: I did what I had to do...saw through without exemption...

Radio Personality:  Let me guess:  you planned each careful step, right? Had to, I imagine.

Anonymous:…More, much more than this, I did it my way….

Radio Personality: O-kay, but were there times?  Didn't you ever think you bit off more than you could chew?  You know, the balancing act?

Anonymous: But, through it all…I ate it up and spit it out…faced it all and stood ta…

Radio personality:  I see.  A life of love, laugh, and tears, right?  Yours or your family?  Ever think about 'em?  I mean, didn't you ever think about losing them?

Anonymous:  I’ve had my share of losing, but…now I find it all so amusing!  To think I did all that and…

Radio Personality: AMUSING? But, you’re not shy, are you?  Not humble at all! I bet you shout...

Anonymous: Oh, no, oh, no, not me!  I did it my way!

Radio Personality: Well, then, what IS a man?  What has he got?  If not his family, what is important?

Anonymous: Yes!  If not himself, then he has naught!  To say the things he truly feels…

Radio Personality: NAUGHT? Sure, but these are not the words of one ...?

Anonymous:  ...who kneels!  The record shows…Yes!  I took the blows!

Radio Personality: Well, I'd love to land some blows on you, you narcissistic bastard.  You got a record, a felony record?  

Anonymous:  And did it my way!  Yes, it was my way…

Radio Personality:  Right, buddy.  Whatever you say.  Next caller, line 2?...

The letter “I” is for…IF

Rudyard Kipling

The word “IF” is a word fraught with possibilities—past, present, and future.  This word is almost connected in some way to “THEN” in terms of reasoning.  The word suggests that something else might have happened, or might happen, or will possibly happen. 

In ways, this word is a sorrowful word when used in the past tense, proposing that the outcome of something undesirable might have been avoided.  Yet, the word also leads to possible wonderful outcomes.  The word “IF” is a remarkably useful word.

Rudyard Kipling liked it so much that he wrote his famous poem IF, which I won’t quote or print out for you.  Mathematicians like it a lot.  Moms use it all the time, “If you eat  all the broccoli, then…”  Rocket scientists use it, too.

Sadly, I have used it too often.  “If only I had…If I hadn’t…”  The word opens a whole bag of regrets and bad memories. 

Now, fortunately, I am using the word in present and future tenses more and more.  “If I use this word…If I try this instead…”

Yes, the word IF is one very busy word.

 Many thanks to the A-Z Blogfest Crew!  You may link up at the following address:

http://tossingitout.blogspot.com