Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
If someone handed me a time machine and said, “Pick one year to relive,” I’d probably start flipping through the scrapbook of my life like a Netflix menu. How could I choose just one? My teen years were full of laughter, friendship, and freedom. My college years were packed with exploration, dancing, and backpacking through Europe. And my military years, though tough, shaped my strength and discipline. Each season held its own sparkle; a mix of youth, courage, and discovery that made me feel alive.
There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes that says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Looking back, I realize that each era of my life was a classroom, each one teaching me how to embrace joy, challenge, and growth. If I could, I’d relive those chapters not to change a thing, but to savor them more deeply, to notice the small miracles I may have missed while rushing to the next moment.
The Joy of Teen Spirit
My teenage years were pure, unfiltered fun. The kind where your biggest concern was what movie to see on the weekend or which friend’s house to hang out at. We didn’t overthink life back then, we just lived it. There’s something so beautiful about that kind of freedom. We weren’t yet defined by titles or job descriptions; we were simply kids discovering who we were meant to be. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” I think that still applies to the child within us.
And maybe that’s why Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Innocence and wonder aren’t just for the young; they’re the doorways to joy. If I could go back, I’d laugh a little louder, run a little longer, and remember that happiness often hides in simplicity.
Dancing into Adulthood
College was my bridge between youth and independence, a wild mix of dreams and deadlines. I was part of a cultural dance troupe, performing folk dances that celebrated heritage and unity. I loved that feeling of moving in rhythm with others, our steps perfectly in sync. That’s where I first learned that harmony isn’t just for choreography; it’s for life.
I also got to travel, eight cities, six countries, and countless stories later, I came home a little more confident, a little more curious. Traveling was my greatest teacher. Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” I understood that deeply. Every country, every conversation expanded my heart. It taught me that we all laugh in the same language.
The Discipline of Duty
Then came my military years, a stark contrast to my student days. It was structured, demanding, and not exactly the carefree chapter I’d known before. But even within that discipline, I found meaning. I learned endurance, responsibility, and teamwork in a way no classroom could teach. I also found camaraderie, a family forged through shared struggle and mutual respect.
When Paul wrote, “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), I understood it both literally and spiritually. The discipline I gained wasn’t just about following orders; it was about developing the character to stay steady when life got hard. Looking back, I’d relive that too, not for the ease of it, but for the growth it produced.
The French Dream
And oh, France. That was the dream. The cobblestone streets, the scent of espresso and rain, the way life slowed down just enough for you to taste it. I lived simply but fully. Every morning walk felt cinematic. I’d buy a baguette, journal in a park, and let the sound of distant church bells remind me that beauty exists everywhere if you pay attention.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” I carried that beauty home with me, in memories, friendships, and the quiet assurance that I was living my story well. If given the chance, I’d go back and stay just a little longer, just to whisper “thank you” to every moment.
Soul Insights
1. Time is the best storyteller.
Each season of life carries its own wisdom. We often try to rush through it, but time has a way of revealing the truth in layers. What once felt ordinary now feels precious. God doesn’t waste time; He transforms it.
2. Joy hides in ordinary moments.
The laughter of teenage years wasn’t extraordinary. It was simple, spontaneous, and real. Joy doesn’t need luxury or perfection; it needs presence. The more we notice, the more life gives us to smile about.
3. Growth happens in motion.
From dance rehearsals to backpacking trips, I learned that growth doesn’t always happen while sitting still. It happens when we move, explore, and risk. Faith often unfolds as we take the next step, not when we’ve figured it all out.
4. Strength is forged in structure.
The military wasn’t easy, but it grounded me. Discipline can feel confining, yet it’s the very thing that creates freedom later. Whether in faith or life, order builds endurance, and endurance builds confidence.
5. Gratitude keeps the soul young.
Looking back at France, I see gratitude shimmering through every memory. Gratitude turns nostalgia into worship. When we thank God for the past, we also open our hearts for what’s next.
Final Thoughts
If I could relive any part of my life, it wouldn’t be to escape the present, but to appreciate the past with wiser eyes. Every season had its lessons, joy, discipline, exploration, faith, and each one shaped the person I am today. Life doesn’t give us rewind buttons, but it does give us reflection. And reflection is how the soul remembers its blessings.
As the Psalmist wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Maybe the best way to honor the days I’d relive is to live today with the same wonder, courage, and curiosity. Because while I can’t go back to France, or my teenage summers, or my early military days, I can still live like the same girl who found joy in every chapter.
Your Turn
What chapter of your life would you relive if you could? And more importantly, what part of today deserves that same energy, curiosity, and gratitude? Take a moment this week to remember your favorite seasons, then go live this one as if it’s your best yet.
By the way…
While you’re here, please check out my book 17 Syllables of Me on Amazon; it’s a soul-to-paper kind of journey.
If you love thoughtful reads with a heartbeat, come visit my blog SoulPath Insights, where life lessons meet coffee-shop conversations.
Thank you for taking the time to read! 🤗
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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