Just Do It (Photo credit: AMANITO)
Today’s prompt from Michelle: Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda: Tell us about something you know you should do, but don’t…. brought Shel Silverstein’s poem, “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” immediately to mind:
Layin’ in the sun,
Talkin’ bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done…
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.
Reading to Kids (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am a great fan of Silverstein, having read three of his books of poems supposedly for children (but really for all of us) to both of my sons so many times, I cannot even venture a guess as to how many times we cuddled together, me reading, and they transfixed by his words.
We all should and could do many things and we would have except for…..so many things. But how about the many things we did do? I think those should count for something.
I vote for forgetting about woulda-coulda-shoulda and just concentrating on the “dids”—that sounds much more blissful to me. How about you?
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Oh, that’s great! I truly enjoy the ‘Bliss of “Did” ‘! I think I’ll go did something now!
ha ha– you are a funny girl
I shoulda-woulda-coulda written a sparkling comentary on morality and the music of the seven spheres, but all I did so far is this.
If I were writing a commentaryon morality and the seven spheres I would not have gotten as far as you did
Wise words. Coulda, Woulda and Shoulda….along with their big sister “If Only Ida” are not great people to hang out with! 😉
Ida is a pain
Yes she is!
Good idea! I’d like to start that right now! ~ Sheila
it is never too late to start “diding”
I focus on the “did.” Hence, I love my to do list to remind me of all I did. Not just the day-to-day tasks, but the big accomplishments as well.
I sometimes write thing on my to do list that I did–just for the satisfaction of crossing them off
Me too!
Concentrating on the “dids” is far more positive, as that’s the way I like to be!! 🙂
my eternal optimist friend – you always see the bright side
I try my best 🙂
I did love that poem!
I love Shel
Me too. I’ll have to start reading some to my son very soon.
how old is he? you will so enjoy it too
He’s almost 11, he’s already a bookworm, always with his nose stuck in a book.
my kind of guy
I’m in the midst of a purposeless “w-c-sh” fest… instead of rambling for 2,000 words, I’ll simply say, “Yeah, I’ve got some of those.”
don’t we all?
In therapy, we often tell our clients, “Don’t Should on yourself.” 🙂 If we could get rid of that word we’d all be better off. I love Silverstein, as well.
Great post, LouAnn.
that is a perfect phrase–I like the advice
Good advice, but hard to follow. 🙂
as is all good advice!
True. 🙂
Defintely does sound more blissful. Leave regret behind. Wouldn’t that be nice!
more than nice
Great words of wisdom! 🙂
thanks so much
I’m with you on the dids my friend, especially since additional school pressure is unnecessary! 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
you sound like a good student – I was not in high school until I got into the senior grades – that is when the pressure was on–when I started caring
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thank you
Don’t look back, and don’t look too far forward because you’ll scare yourself. I’ve been heeding that advice for many years. It works well for me! xoxoM
good advice – stay middling
I was recently at Half Price Books with a friend, looking for one of the Olivia books for her niece when I saw, Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, one of our favorites. I highly recommend it.
Like you, I too think it’s better to focus on the dids.
It is odd that we never had that book for the boys–I am going to ask for it for my birthday in April
I suggest looking for a used copy. New ones are 20 bucks at B&N and come with a DVD.
While I think the book is terrific, I wouldn’t pay 20 dollars for it. DVD or not.
I’ve had lots of shoulda’s over the years, but in the end, everything that I actually did turned out ok. Better than ok, most of the time. I guess I’m pretty satisfied with that.
I love Silverstein and Nash too – two of my favourites. Probably because their poetry comes with a sense of humour.
I am always attracted to a sense of humour in writing though I read anything and everything
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[…] The Bliss of “Did” […]
Coulda shoulda woulda applies to my around the house chores! Guess ill go start those now, thanks for the motivation!
glad to be a motivator–sorry it is chores
I so agree with you. My bliss is when the cleaning, ironing and baking is done, and I’m all ready for my guests to arrive. That will be my task for tomorrow, but I’ve left it until the last minute. 😀
I leave it until the last minute so that all the work I put into it is not undone
Very nice poem and a very nice post.
Thank you – and Happy Valentine’s Day to you my friend
I prefer the bliss in dids too. But – there may still time to change those woulda’, shouda’ coulda’s to dids…
that is a good way to look at it – you always have a positive spin
I like your attitude. I’m happier when I focus on the “dids”.
me too – I get overwhelmed if there are too many woulda couldas
Here’s to “dids”. Cheers! I’ll have to get Sliverstein’s books for Sophie.
what a great idea
I say the same as the others.. let’;s live a life of now, doing it vs shoulda, coulda, woulda’s 😉
and it is worth repeating
i vote with you. shoulda, coulda, woulda just leads to guilt and often stops us in our tracks. i love silverstein too. one day in the library, i heard my daughter laughing out loud-something she never did in public spaces as she was quiet and shy. it was silverstein who made my little gleeful. i love him for that.
what a lovely story