Do-over Dreams: Would You Go Back in Time and Change Your Life?

Many of us wish we could get a do-over in life, a chance to change the past and make it go differently. If you had the chance, would you actually want to do it?

I'm sure we've all looked back at at least one thing that has happened in our lives and wished that we could have a do-over. If only we could do something differently, or not get involved with someone or not go to a certain place, we could have avoided some pain or tragedy in our lives. The question here is, if you could how in a time machine and go back to change that event or events, would you actually want to?

Everything that happens to a person in their lifetime adds up to make them who they are now. It's nice to think of a life where we never suffer tragedy or pain and everything is perfect, but what kind of person would that make you? Would you really be happier? Every bad thing that has ever happened to you changed how you interacted with the world for the rest of your life, just like the good things did. If you never had the bad, would the good really be good, or just boring?

Smart people learn from their mistakes and the bad things that happen to them in life. I know from experience that every horrible event in my life (and trust me, there were plenty) helped mold me into the person I am today. I am stronger than many people who have never suffered such hardships. I'm also more perceptive of the way people act and what they say, and I have a never-say-die attitude that I may never have developed if I hadn't gone through that suffering. For some of us, those hardships have made us better, stronger people, and a perfect life may have made us weaker or less observant.

The other thing one has to consider is that even if you changed event X in your past, it might not lead to the Y you had in mind. If you believe in destiny, it's possible that no matter what you did at a certain point in your past, you may have still gone through the traumatic event, just at a different time or with a different person. Maybe you'd get your happy ending, but you might get the same suffering, or something even worse if you didn't go through that thing at that time. Life is a tricky thing, you may have been faced with the same trials no matter what path you chose.

So going back in time may not be the greatest idea, and as of this writing, it's not even possible. But can you still get some do-overs in your current life? I believe it's possible, but it all depends on how people react to things. It's an unfortunate truth that many people don't give you a 3-strike rule, if you mess up once, you're done for. Hurt someone one time or do one thing wrong, and that's it, you're out. There are instances where a second chance could be given, we just don't give them.

I am one of those people who gives others a second chance. Do me wrong once, and I'll give you one more chance. Do me wrong a second time and that's it. Believe it or not, it can actually be a great thing. A perfect example is my first husband. We didn't work out as a couple, but we make great friends. I gave him a second chance after a few years, and now we have a great friendship. I give people the chance for a do-over most of the time. Unfortunately, not everyone is so forgiving.

I went through a really rough patch in my life where I became a horrible person. I can look back and admit I messed up with a lot of people. I'd love to have a second chance with those people, and the ability to show them how much I've changed and what a good person I am now. Unfortunately, none of them will give me that opportunity. I think the world would be a much better place if we all gave our friends and family a second chance. Sometimes people really do change, but others miss out on that wonderful new person because they refuse to give anyone another shot.

So, we may not be able to change the past, but we can change the future. We can take it upon ourselves to give people a second chance in life. Sometimes giving someone a do-over can somewhat change the past, because you're giving them a chance to heal the scars that they left back then. You never know if someone is really sorry, if they've learned their lessons, or if they've become a great new person. If we all give every person in our lives one second chance, we might be amazed at the happiness it will bring into our lives.