Ch-ch-ch-changes

Offers advice from an ad hoc faculty in response to the question: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Responses include losing weight, being less of a wimp, being a little less impatient, living more in the moment, being more single-minded.

By Al Roker, Denise Algood, published on May 01, 1994

Q: IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

If I could change one thing, it would be my weight. When you try to lose weight, there is always a yo-yo effect. You go up and down. It would be nice if I didn't have to worry about it--and also if I didn't have the propensity to eat when I am stressed out.

--Al Roker

Weatherman, NBC News

New York, NY

I think if I could change one thing I would be less of a wimp. I am always trying to make other people happy and go with the flow. I would like to be less accommodating.

--Denise Algood, M.D.

Family practitioner

Charleston, SC

I'd like to be a little less impatient. If somebody drives five miles under the speed limit I go crazy. It's important to remember that it's okay to get somewhere five minutes later.

--Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.

Social psychologist

Seattle, WA

I would probably worry less about things. I have a great job, a beautiful wife, a new baby--what do I have to worry about? I wish I could just enjoy things while they are happening and not in retrospect. I also wish I had a career in something I have a passion for, like downhill skiing, rather than choosing the security of law.

--Myles A. Conway

Lawyer

Eagle River, Alaska

What does it say about a person if he doesn't want to change anything? I would like to be a little shorter so I wouldn't bang my head. But, basically, I am a deconstructionist. I don't believe there is a final answer. Life is imperfect. I'll work with what I've got.

--Reverend John Mellin

Cape Cod, MA

I'd want to be smarter. I'd love to know more about science or how to speak different languages. Maybe I'd even get a doctorate.

--Eva Garfinkle,

Grandmother

North Miami Beach, FL

I wouldn't be so impulsive. When you're impulsive, you're always going from one thing to the next. You don't get a chance to enjoy the moment or stop and smell the roses.

--Kristen Murff

Second grade teacher

Dallas, TX

I would change my address and live in Wyoming. I prefer the country.

--Richie Neillans

Police officer, and his horse,

Keith Levine

New York, NY

I would like to live more in the moment. It would be great to be happy and not always looking ahead toward the next goal. I think it's something people have a lot of trouble doing these days.

--Lisa Pasquinelli, Ph.D.

Psychologist

San Francisco, CA

I think the trickiest thing about the word "change" is that most of us don't know how to effect it correctly. We think we can do it by changing the TV channel or changing our mind. What I have learned is that if we leave our will out of it and concentrate positively on something, it will change and become whatever we want it to be. I only want to change what can and will be changed.

--Mia LaMarca

Personal trainer

New York, NY

I wish I were more single-minded. I have so many different labels and feel like I'm being pulled in a lot of different directions professionally.

-Beth Lapides

Writer, comedienne, former

candidate for First Lady

Los Angeles, CA

I can't think of anything I would want to change because I am really happy. There is nothing in my life that I would want to be different.

--Wendy Alatorre

Flight attendant,

Delta Airlines

Knoxville, TN

I would like to learn how to better control my anger. Sometimes I find myself getting angry and saying or doing something I later regret. I'd like to be able to remain calm and handle the situation.

--Steven O. Philippi

Driver, United Parcel Service

Valley Stream, NY

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