1, I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me: This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.
PERSONAL NOTE: Live your life the way you want it, remembering you
can never undo what you have done. Think and act wisely, because you have just
1 life to live.
2, I wish I
didn't work so hard: This came from
every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their
partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from
an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All
of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the
treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making
conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you
think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and
more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle. PERSONAL NOTE: No matter how hard you work for an organization, the organization can never take the place of your family or love you like your family. Which is your priority, work or family (wife/husband and children)? Spend your time wisely.
3, I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings: Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.
PERSONAL NOTES: Expressing your feelings will not kill you, it helps you stay out of worries. Try to speak when you are in love, learn how to speak politely, hiding or keeping your feelings can cause lots of sicknesses. Express yourself!
4, I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends: Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.
PERSONAL NOTES: We were created for each other, not to live in isolation. Don’t ever joke with friendship, because every friend came to fulfill a purpose in your life, discover it and don’t chase them.
5, I wish that I
had let myself be happier: This is a
surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a
choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called
'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their
physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their
selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly
and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed,
what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able
to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.
PERSONAL NOTES: Let’s get things right, we all have our issues and
some of us try to take worries out of our mind and remain happy. No one is
actually ugly, its only people who refuse to smile or be happy that are ugly.
Happiness or smiles brightens your day and makes your
heart free from all worries or burdens. Don’t kill yourself before your time,
it cost nothing or less to smile or be happy. But it is expensive and more
costly to frown or be sad.
Culled from Bronnie Ware, By Ayodeji Anifowose
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