The last thing that we want is to look back over our lives and regret the way that we lived our lives. Bucket lists have become very popular. There are many things that we all would love to do and places that we would like to see, but there never seems to be enough time or money. However, our lives are much more than a collection of experiences. A recent Hospice report lists the five most common regrets from people who are dying.
They are:
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
We are told to dream big, set goals, and succeed in life and many of us (especially males) are driven to do this. What is not always realized-and what the dying know-is that we often lose sight of what is really important and exchange what we aspire to for what is expected.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
This is one of the most common regrets among men hospice patients. I am sure that these individuals would not suggest that working hard is not important, but my interpretation of this is that we need to balance our work with other important aspects of life. Men too often sacrifice spending time with their family for the sake of work. Let us not make this mistake.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
As I contemplate this regret, I am mindful of all of the people that have touched my life that probably don't know what they mean to me.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
The popularity of social media has made contacting friends and acquaintances from the past much easier; do not neglect this mean of staying in touch
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
I realized some time ago that happiness is a choice. Do not make the mistake of NOT choosing to be happy.
What is NOT listed is as revealing as what IS listed. Notice that specific places and experience do not seem as important to people coming close to the end of their lives.
It is often said that hind-site is 20/20. Looking back is always easier and clearer than looking forward and we cannot change our past, but we can influence our future.
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