You were born very tall or very short?
What if you disliked your name?
What if we lived our faith — practiced it each day?
What if you were married for eternity and lived forever?
What if we changed the world to help those left behind?
What if marriages were all contractual and you could end them every 10 years just by saying so?
What if every day reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and water was like gold?
What if you were in line to speak with God for 10 minutes? What would you say? At the end of your time, what might he say to you? Next?
What if men got pregnant?
What if everyone lost sexual interest at 35?
What if you were born impoverished? Or rich? How would life be different?
What if you could wear only clothes made by famous designers?
What if no one brushed their teeth or used deodorant?
What if hell required imprisonment with someone who disagreed with all of your political opinions?
What if the same person agreed with everything you said and had no ideas of his own?
What if he believed in a different religion?
What if you suffered from pain every day?
What if you knew what people really think and say about you?
What if the dead could be brought back to life on earth? How would the world change?
What if everyone were taught to use the word love more often than four-letter words?
What if you had a special piggy bank for charity and put loose change into it every day?
What if you took your kids to a food depository, brought along food, and filled the bags of other donors for those who can’t afford it?
What if you took a homeless person to lunch?
What if we taught kids that money isn’t the secret to happiness and told them what fulfillment really is?
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The first photo is by Hisa Matsumura at the Tottori Sand Dunes, sourced from jameslucasit@substack.com. It is followed by an Elephant at Sunset in Amboseli, Kenya, in Early November 2024. It is the work of the photographic artist, Laura Hedien, presented with her kind permission: Laura Hedien Official Website.
I can honestly say that I have done some of these
Indeed. I don’t doubt that you offered the best of yourself, Beth. Thanks.
My immediate thought: “What if my journey on earth hadn’t met Dr Gerald Stein’s one day?”
Less clarity, less humanity, less love.
(E se potessi parlare con Dio, non credo avrei domande da porgLi, ma solo dirgLi la gratitudine per aver ricevuto la Vita.
Anche per quella grande parte di essa, ora, che mi impaurisce, fa orrore, disgusta per le prove da affrontare.
Anche, sopratutto, per aver potuto suonare proprio stamattina l’Ave Maria di Schubert all’organo del mio santuario di Re.)
I am sure the parishioners felt the strength of your own faith in listening to the Schubert today, Micaela. Your first paragraph touches me. Thank you, and please know that I feel the same way about you.
What if more people actually asked ‘what if’ and followed through with some of those heartfelt, kind, life-changing queries?
I’d like to think we would then have a better world, Deb. Fingers crossed. Happy New Year!
Beautiful…a post full of reminders about agency and opportunity. Feeling encouraged, Dr. Stein! ❤️
The best I can do and the least I can do, Vicki! Glad you are encouraged by my thoughts and my words. Praise, indeed. Thank you.
You are so very welcome! ❤️
Very thought-provoking and life-changing questions, Dr. Stein. Our world would definitely be a better place if we humans were to adopt some of your what ifs/proposals. Your proposals regarding ten-year contractual marriages, male pregnancy, and limited sexual interest could well change the nature of the family, child-rearing, domestic violence, and population growth. It’s difficult to tell if limited sexual interest would reduce rape and sex trafficking. Happy are those who would desire to be married to the same person for eternity and live forever. For far too many of us humans, regardless of gender, it would be a life sentence for all eternity.
I agree and am grateful that you took the time to think some of these ideas through, Rosaliene. I, too, believe that marriage is not an institution built to last for eternity. Like many ideas born in antiquity, they need revision. I suppose the Constitution qualifies. Keep the faith in these “interesting times,” Rosaliene.
Keeping the faith as best as I can, Dr. Stein 🙂 <3
So much to ponder! Thank you, Dr. Stein, for giving us this food for thought. Some are terrifying, such as the soaring temperatures every day and the resulting water shortages, but others can be gentle reminders to live honorably.
Yes, the climate and water possibility is terrifying. I know that at least parts of India are suffering from temperatures as high as 120 Fahrenheit. An honorable life is a present and future we can hope for and try for, Lori. Thank you for your always thoughtful comments. Be well.
And best wishes for everything good for you, Dr. Stein.
So many questions to ponder, some have answers we may never know and others are waiting for us to go ahead and find out for ourselves. By becoming more loving we can each leave positive legacies in this world. That has ripple effects on others around us. A good way to live!
Absolutely, Tamara. Love must be communicated and “lived” every day. Stay the course and thank you.
After being fortunate to visit some developing countries, I I’m very thankful for being born in the US and all the surrounding circumstances that go with that to include heating and cooling a house by the push of a button, running water, and all the comforts that we might take for granted every day.
I imagine your experience in less developing countries is more than informative, Laura. Your voice counts in letting others know what life is like elsewhere, and encouraging them to make a better world possible for others. Thank you for adding that voice here.
May the new year bring you joy. Thank you, too, for continuing to permit me the use of your remarkable photographs.
Thanks for sharing these thought provoking questions, Gerald… the kinds of reflections that should follow us around each and every day all day long. Thanks and Peace.
Appreciated, Frank. I think the two of us are walking similar paths in our attempt to encourage others to reflect on those questions and other events in the world we live in. Have a good 2026.