“If I had my life to live over, I would try to make more mistakes. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. … I’d like to ride more merry-go-rounds. And I’d pick more daisies.”
Have you ever wondered what you would change? If given a chance to live your life again, what would you do differently? This profound question has captivated people for generations. It sits at the heart of a beloved essay that encourages us to rethink our priorities. The essay suggests we should embrace simple joys. For example, it advises us to ride more merry-go-rounds and walk barefoot more often. These ideas promote spontaneity and a deeper connection with the world.
The powerful words above come from this very essay. They invite us to let go of our worries and live more freely. While many have shared this sentiment, its origins trace back to one specific author. He first penned these thoughts decades ago, creating a timeless piece of wisdom.
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The Man Behind the Daisies
The original author of this influential piece was Don Herold. He first published his essay in the December 1931 edition of “College Humor” magazine. Herold’s work immediately resonated with readers. It offered a fresh perspective on life’s fleeting nature. Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of seizing small moments of happiness.
Interestingly, Herold described himself with self-deprecating humor. He called himself a person who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, and a parachute. This description painted a picture of extreme caution. Consequently, his advice to be sillier and take more chances became even more powerful. His message was clear: excessive preparation can rob us of life’s spontaneous joys. Herold also suggested keeping more dogs and having more sweethearts, reinforcing his theme of a fuller, less restrained life.
A Journey Through Time and Text
The essay’s wisdom spread with remarkable speed for its time. In fact, a Pennsylvania newspaper, “The Punxsutawney Spirit,” reprinted parts of the piece on November 3, 1931. This occurred even before the magazine’s official cover date. This shows how publishers often released magazines early, allowing other media to discuss the content in advance. The international appeal was also clear. By January 1932, “The Toronto Star Weekly” published a condensed version. Source
Over the decades, the essay underwent many changes. Different names became associated with the work. These included Frank Dickey, Helen S. Moor, and, most famously, Nadine Stair. These misattributions show how ideas can evolve as they spread through a culture. They often lose their original context while gaining new meaning. This complex history of attribution highlights the essay’s widespread impact across different communities and eras.
. Nadine Stair | American writer
Literary Fusion and Lasting Impact
An interesting literary connection also emerged. A 1912 poem by Berton Braley, titled “Workaday Trio,” shared a similar theme. Braley’s poem criticized a narrow focus on work that blinds people to life’s beauty. Because of this thematic overlap, some versions of Herold’s essay began to incorporate lines from Braley’s poem. This fusion often happened without proper attribution, further complicating the essay’s history.
Despite the confusion, the core message never lost its power. Don Herold Papers – University of Iowa Special Collections himself helped maintain its relevance. He published an updated version in “Reader’s Digest” in 1953. This demonstrated his lifelong commitment to these philosophical ideas. The essay’s journey, from its origin with a cautious humorist to its many later forms, is a testament to its universal truth. It reminds us that it is never too late to relax, take a chance, and pick a few more daisies.