FIVE Pearls of Wisdom on REGRETS from the Dying to the Living
Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who has spent many years caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives with their permission recorded their dying epiphanies and ended up writing a book on the top 5 regrets of the dying and how we can learn from these pearls of wisdom
Pearl 1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
According to Bronnie, "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."
The eye-opening thing to note is that most people that Bronnie observed had not even honored even half of their dreams, and had to die knowing that they could have achieved these if it were not for choices they had regretted making.The thing is, when we are healthy, we have enormous freedom and time that very few people can properly appreciate until we no longer have it.
Letting your life meander on, or putting more emphasis on achieving others' expectations of you could mean sacrificing your dreams, and your destiny that you were meant to fulfill.
Pearl #2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard
"This came from every male patient nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship."
Pearl #3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings
"Many people suppressed their feelings to keep peace with others. Thus, 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."
Pearl #4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
"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.
"Several different research studies have proven that the number one factor contributing to human happiness is the strength of your close friendships. In 2007, the American Journal of Public Health published the results of a survey of 24,000 workers.
Their results showed that the men and women with the weakest social ties were the most likely to suffer from major depressive symptoms
It doesn't seem to matter whether you have one or more close friendships, what matters is the strength of the connections that you do form with friends and relatives and how often you spend time cooperating in activities and sharing your personal feelings with them.
Peal of Wisdom #5. I wish I had let myself be happier
"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize 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."
Concluding thoughts...
If you think that you are not living according to what you want with your life, then NOW is the time to change for the better. Ask yourself what you want so that you can finally start enjoying your life!
Pearls Of wisdom
1. Be True to yourself
2. Do not work so hard
3. Express your feelings
4. Stay in touch with your friends
5. Let yourself be happier
