Top 5 Regrets of Dying
People often state that they wish to live like there is no tomorrow, but how often are they true to this statement? A nurse who once worked with the terminally ill was lucky enough to get down to the deep regrets that people hold towards the end of their lives. And surprisingly, they hardly touch on material things, but rather, they relate to the emotional connections that we so often lose sight of in a bid to get the things that we will eventually leave behind when we cross over to the other side. She later wrote a book on the same, urging people to learn from what people regretted in their last days. Are you curious as to what she had to say? Well, let’s get down to the most shared statements as one approaches their death and how you can avoid a similar fate:
“I wish I had allowed myself to be happier”
More often than not, people have the notion that happiness is a destination and not a journey, while the truth is that it is the latter. Happiness comes from being content with what you have at this moment and taking the time to appreciate it. You may think that you will be happy when you graduate, but this is not the case as you will get there and start thinking that your life will be better when you have a spouse and so on. Eventually, you will find that you delayed your happiness in search of more when you could have been happy with what you had. Count your blessings at this moment, and though they may seem few to you, there is somebody out there who would love a quarter of what you have. And we’re not talking about money, but rather, the networks around you, your experiences and everything that makes you who you are.
“I wish I had not worked so much”
We all know the drill. We start making some money, and soon enough, another opportunity comes by, and we grab it. Soon, all we care about is the bucks, and we slowly lose sight of our families, friends, communities around us and other important things. There is nothing wrong with being successful, but moderation is the key to everything.
“I wish I dared to express my feelings”
How often do you push your feelings away for fear of rejection, backlash or other reaction for which you are not prepared? Eventually, you find that even when you want to say something, you are unsure of how to do it. Start small. Tell people when they hurt you, tell your boss that the work environment is unsuitable. Speak up while you still can.
“I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends”
So many people are guilty of losing touch with their loved ones. People get jobs, start families, start investing, and they lack time to nurture their relationships. Take a step back and enjoy the company of your loved ones. One day you will look back at these moments and feel proud of yourself.
“I wish I dared to live a life that is true to myself and not the life that others expected of me.”
This is the last regret. Can you relate to it? If yes, it’s time you took over the reins of your life. Here is to a regret-free life!