Most of the time, we take things for granted and forget to appreciate what we have until it is too late.
Regrets over things we did wrong and things we lacked the confidence to do are simply part of human nature. Sometimes life allows us second chances to try to make things right; other times, we are forced to live with our regrets and feel terrible for missed opportunities and possibilities.
Have you ever wondered what folks like you and me regret most?
Bronnie Ware, a nurse who has spent the majority of her life in palliative care and witnessed many of her patients leave this world right in front of her eyes, recounts the top five regrets of people who realize the time has come to say their final goodbye.
She wrote in her book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing” she wrote: “My patients were those who had gone home to d.i.e. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. For many years I worked in palliative care…”
She goes on to list the regrets.
1. “I Wish I had the Courage to Live a Life True to Myself and Not for Others”
Many people spend their final days thinking about the things they left undone. Reflecting on their past acts is frequent, and with it comes the regret of not living the life they want for themselves due to concerns about what others would say.
“Most people had not honored even half of their dreams and had to d.i.e knowing that it was due to choices they had made or not made,” Ware writes.
This should serve as a lesson to never give up our targets and dreams for the sake of others.
2.“I Wish I hadn’t Worked so Hard”
The busy schedules imposed by our jobs can frequently result in us neglecting to spend enough quality time with our families and friends. Working hard to obtain success, celebrity, and money can easily lead to spiritual dissatisfaction and a missed opportunity.
3.“I wish I had the Courage to express my Feelings”
Not many people have the bravery to voice their feelings and be honest with others. Often, we choose to remain silent to avoid making other people feel awful about themselves or their acts. However, because we do not want them to feel uncomfortable, we suffer as a result of the things that are left unsaid and feelings that are not shared.
In addition, we may feel embarrassed to express our family and friends how much we love and value them.
According to Ware, this is something that many people regret.
4.“I Wish I had stayed in Touch with my Friends”
As the days pass, our priorities shift. However, one thing we should never allow to happen is to drift apart from those who previously meant everything to us. According to Ware, she has seen people regret not giving friendships the attention and effort they deserve.
“Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down,” she wrote.
5. “I Wish I had let myself be Happier”
The majority of us need to recognize that happiness is a choice.
“Fear of change had them pretending to others and their selves that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly,” Ware wrote of many of her dying patients. We should never let fear stand in our way to feel happy and do the things that make us content.
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take!”
