NationStates Jolt Archive

If Nietzsche's doctrine of eternal recurrence, a la "Groundhog Day," turned out to be true, what would you do differently in the next go-round (assuming you could retain your memories of this particular revolution on the turntable of time)? Which experiences would remain exactly the same? What experiences would you add? Which would you subtract? Would you be more serious about pursuing your education? Would you choose a different major in college? Start your own business? Would you marry? Have children? Become a political activist? How would your life be different the next time around?

I think I would try much harder to get along with my parents and go along with their program until I was through college, realizing that the angst that invariably accompanies the teenage years really doesn't last forever. I would also be much more serious about my education. I would be better at saving and investing. I would start my own business. I would travel the world. And I know this sounds terrible, but I'm not entirely certain I would marry or have children again. Although my marital relationship is pretty solid at this point in my life, and my children are finally getting their acts together and doing reasonable well, getting to this point with my family has been by far the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life. It is pretty satisfying to finally arrive where I am today, but looking back - geez Louise! Was that road ever a rocky one! It would be very difficult to stand at the beginning of that road called "Marriage & Family", knowing exactly what I would be facing, and deliberately choose to do it over again.

What about you?

i would remember some of the winning lottery numbers from the last life

i would remember some of the winning lottery numbers from the last life

Stop already - all this ambition and enthusiasm is wearing me out! ;)

On a certain day when I was sixteen years old, I'd turn up late for a certain party and pull a certain girl...

<sigh>

There is nothing more irritating than when you can genuinely put your finger on a turning point in your life, a key decision, but do nothing about it.

Some changes or advice to my earlier self would be-

Early on-Sax lessons aren't for losers who can't figure out the instrument, dummy. Take the offer.

When you got T-boned, that bent the frame. Thats why the car doesn't handle as well anymore.

Keep at least one physical activity.

That bitch is crazy. Ride it out anyway, it's the only way you'll learn...

You're not going to be able to get back in college for a while. Do all that crazy crap that comes to your head because it isn't 'just around the corner.' You'll probably make more money and survive better, despite thinking the opposite.

It's not a magic thing card.

The Chevy isn't insured, and they ask for insurance now. Two things that you should know before getting pulled over for the headlight thing. It'll make everything else a lot easier to deal with.

You wouldn't do any work on your own on the Chevy, but for some reason you think you're going to restore a 914? Buy it anyway. Good source of 'Ain't I dumb' stories...(oh, and if the car hasn't been registered in a while they'll impound it if you get pulled over. Thats an important note when driving the car into a cruise that the police are trying to break up.)

You made the 914 worse (if that was possible) and you think you'll do better with a '67 Bus? Buy it anyway. It has a bed in case you fuck something up again and need to sleep in it.

You have the money for a better bike. Buy a better bike. That way I could still be riding it instead of having it errode piece by piece at my brothers place.

Depressing how so many of the wrong turns in my life involve cars...

On a certain day when I was sixteen years old, I'd turn up late for a certain party and pull a certain girl...

<sigh>

There is nothing more irritating than when you can genuinely put your finger on a turning point in your life, a key decision, but do nothing about it.

Well? Don't keep us in suspense!

Try not to make an arse out of myself as often...

Do not ignore the aching in my stomach and get proper medical treatment immediately. From a good doctor in a carefully chosen hospital.

Do not ignore the aching in my stomach and get proper medical treatment immediately. From a good doctor in a carefully chosen hospital.

:eek: Nothing too serious, I hope?

Try not to make an arse out of myself as often...

I think that's one we can all agree on...er, about ourselves, I mean. :)

Take back every negative thing I've ever said about the Red Sox in my moments of weakness.

Take back every negative thing I've ever said about the Red Sox in my moments of weakness.

Ah, beautiful.

Realize that all my plans for the future are what I should be striving for now, not things I'll get to achieve once I've done what everyone else expects of me.

Not hook up with the woman who broke my heart.

I'd admit to a certain thing earlier, because now I've denied it so long that it's just plain dumb.

I'd have changed subjects at school, because why do I need to know how to make a 12" puppet with jeans and a T-shirt? How is this going to help?

I'd admit to a certain thing earlier, because now I've denied it so long that it's just plain dumb.

I'd have changed subjects at school, because why do I need to know how to make a 12" puppet with jeans and a T-shirt? How is this going to help?

I'm sure it must fall under basic life skills. :)

I'm sure it must fall under basic life skills. :)

Oh, I see now.

I thank you for sorting out my life. <<bows down>>

You know, technically speaking, it would only really be possible to ammend one of your major life decisions, since any other cock-ups you made after that one wouldn't be likely to happen in the same way they did initially, or might not happen at all.

I wouldnt change a thing because then I wouldnt be the person I am now :)