“I wish someone had told me…”

Those five little words can open the floodgates to wisdom, reflection, and humor. When I asked fellow Wisconsinites to finish the phrase, their answers reminded me that life itself is a classroom—one where the best lessons often arrive long after the final bell has rung. 

One of the first replies came from a woman who said she wished someone had told her to keep a journal. “I wouldn’t have to struggle for memories or impressions,” she said. “I could just look at my journal.”

Imagine being able to leaf through pages describing the people you’ve met, the places you’ve traveled, and the thoughts and emotions you felt in the moment. A journal could refresh your memory of celebrations, unique occurrences, or special moments. My quick-witted friend concludes, “And now that I am in my later years, I could use my journal to jot down important things, like close friends and family's birthdays, events I want to attend, and, yes, even where I left my glasses! I could even use it to remind me where I put my journal! Hmmmm..... I might have to rethink that one!”

Her words struck home. I’ve often wished I could revisit specific moments and capture what I was thinking and feeling then. Column writing is one way of journaling, so thank you, Wisconsin Dells Events, for letting me share in this space.

Another person wished someone had told her how vital laughter and joy are to our health. What a simple truth, yet one so easily forgotten. “The opportunities are endless to see the humor in life,” she said.

It doesn’t have to be a stand-up comedian kind of humor. Some of my best giggles come from my dog’s clever ways of refusing to take her pills or the time a nurse leaned close and whispered, “Do you realize you have a curler in your hair?” In a world that can knock us flat in an instant, it’s reassuring to remember that laughter is always waiting nearby, ready to lift us up again.

A Baraboo contributor offered a bit of practical poetry: Travel while you can.
“Travel,” she wrote, “opens your eyes to so many beautiful things in our world.”

Her words carried the wisdom of someone who knows adventures don’t wait forever. She’d recently returned from a Southwest trip that included the breathtaking views of Antelope Canyon, kayaking on Lake Powell, and exploring magical Sedona.

Travel doesn’t always require long distances; sometimes it’s simply taking a back road to North Freedom or Hillsboro to soak in the fall colors and stop off at an apple orchard. Or maybe it’s trying something new—like an escape room, which my family just attempted with much head-scratching and laughter. It could mean trying a different hiking trail, visiting a festival, or sampling a new restaurant. The options are endless.

Then came this gem from my sailing friend: “The secret to a life worth living is not how fast or far you sail. It’s filling your sails with the steady winds of kindness, forgiveness, and love.”

The writer continued, “Stay the course. Whatever comes your way, adjust your sails, and with a steady hand on the wheel, those winds of grace will steer you through.”

That response resonated with me. Winds can shift without warning, and we sometimes have to lean hard just to stay upright.

Taken together, these “I wish someone had told me” reflections offer expert advice. Travel when you can. Steer with kindness. And laugh along the way.