Have you ever thought about what regrets people at the end of their life might feel? How that might help us live more in line with our truths?
I recently came across a really thought provoking book (which I massively recommend!) called Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware. After extensive experience working in palliative care, she witnessed that most regrets of the people she was caring for centred around:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Did any of these regrets surprise you? Is there one that sticks with you as something to reflect on for your own precious life?
I loved discovering that the three commonalities of those folk who didn't have regrets were: a) self forgiveness, b) a sense of humour (including at themselves!) and c) faith in something bigger than them.
My mum's death when I was in my early 20s was formative to say the least, and when mum clearly said she had no regrets, I can see how she fitted in to Bronnie Ware's research. I try to follow in my mum's approach to life - surely having no regrets is a beautiful place to end?