If you were given just a few months to live what would you regret most?
Here’s what a few patients with less than 6 months to live responded:
“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” – Bronnie Ware
Most of their regrets were about things they DID NOT DO as opposed to things they did.
Everyone will experience regret from time to time.
It’s inevitable.
But prolonged regret will interfere with all areas of your life, your health, your wealth, and your happiness.
So here’s what you can do to minimize regrets:
- Seize the day. Follow your dreams. Pursue your ambitions. Keep your hopes high. Don’t be too busy or too distracted, and stop procrastinating. This life is not a “dress rehearsal,” now maybe your only real opportunity.
- Have the courage to express your feelings. Take the time to call or write or text. Express your feelings of gratitude and share positive feelings to your family and friends.
- Keep up with your family and friends. Otherwise, you’ll regret not making the effort to maintain your relationships. Strong, healthy relationships require time and effort and skill. You’ll also reap huge rewards when your relationships are maintained.
- Be happy with who you are. Don’t be afraid of change and be willing to step outside your comfort zones. Also, don’t allow inner and outer constraining forces, self-pretense, and concerns over what others would say keep you stuck.
- Work hard but get your priorities straight. Every male in the study had some regret over missing their children’s youth and the companionship of their partner. You won’t regret working so hard, but you will if you miss out on things that really matter if you’re not focused and intentional.
So, what matters to you? Are your priorities straight?
The whole point of your life needs to be true to you, not what others expect of you.
Since you can’t change the past, focus on transforming the present, and do things to positively impact your future.
You will make mistakes. Some big, some small, and feeling sorry is a good thing.
But rather than retreating and allowing them to sink you into depression, use the pain of regret as a floatation device to help reshape your decisions and your future.
“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.” – Steve Maraboli
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Until next time…..
Agree or disagree? I love your comments! Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I look forward to hearing from you!!!
Althea
Connecting people, ideas, and resources so that a person’s life is better because I helped them make the right connection!!
