Here's an interesting thought experiment I do from time to time

[Guest Daddylyfe]

So I had this thought a few months back and I keep trying to come up with an answer: If you had access to time travel, could visit anyone from your life including yourself but you can only say 1 sentence ... Do you think you could change your life for the better?

[Little kaiya]

Personally I think the concept of "better" is very nebulous. Could I do what you pose and make myself richer, yup. Healthier, probably. More successful in my career, most definitely. Would any of that make my life better, I would say no. I like who I am. I like the ups, downs and sideways that somehow came together to make me who I am. If I change the past I wouldn't have learned certain lessons, struggled and celebrated in the same way and who knows what else.

So for me, in the final analysis, my answer is no, because anything I would change would make me less me and that in my world isn't ever any "better".

[Guest Daddylyfe]

When I first thought of the question I liked how nebulous better was. I also giggle to myself every time I think there's any good answer to this question at least from where I stand too. But I see it as a way to reflect on your life in an odd kind of self-currupt a wish sort of exercise. I constantly think I might actually have a good answer and then realize things I'm thankful for now down the line. 

Like for me, a big one I think about is telling my uncle that he needs to insist at the er his replacement valve for his heart was infected. It would save someone I love dearly, but the experience put a lot into perspective, because although in his low 80s he looked about 67 or 68. There's a lot of centennials in our family  so he could have had 15 or 20 years left. 

In the end though, it helped me because I felt so guilty for turning him down when he wanted to hang out for lunches and stuff but I was too sick to. Coming to terms that I wasn't at fault for any of that situation really helped me grow as a person. 

I'd probably just want a proper goodbye. But then who do you choose to give that good bye to?  To me obviously better over time has become bettering the present me and not altering my past. 

[Andriel_Isilien]

Ha! I would go back 5 years ago when I first met my ex and I would say to myself, "Take this relationship very slowly so that you get to see this sociopath unmasked before you get in too deep with marriage."

 

Maybe this would make me less than I am today but honestly... I believe I am capable of making myself a better person on my own without being put into traumatic situations of abuse.

[Guest Daddylyfe]

1 minute ago, andrielisilien said:

Ha! I would go back 5 years ago when I first met my ex and I would say to myself, "Take this relationship very slowly so that you get to see this sociopath unmasked before you get in too deep with marriage."

 

Maybe this would make me less than I am today but honestly... I believe I am capable of making myself a better person on my own without being put into traumatic situations of abuse.

I think that's a very good answer.