There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps. A palliative nurse who has counselled the dying in their last days has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. And among the top, from men in particular, is 'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'.
Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.
Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, common themes surfaced again and again."Here are the top five regrets of the dying, as witnessed by Ware:
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."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. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, 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."
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
"Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. 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."
5. I wish that 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.
"What's your greatest regret so far, and what will you set out to achieve or change before you die?
LIFEMUDRAS by -thescorpion is a heartfelt exploration of life in all its raw beauty and quiet mystery. From fleeting emotions to lasting revelations, -thescorpion captures life’s rhythm one story at a time. The writings are reflections, a mirror to our own experiences—thoughtful, tender, and real. With each post, you are invited into a space of connection, pause, and gentle self-discovery. This blog is -thescorpion's ode to the human spirit and the ever-shifting landscape of feelings. LIFEMUDRAS
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Friday, October 24, 2014
One more look at LIFE
We leave parts of ourselves in
places we have been to, hearts, rooms or bus seats, just about anywhere where
we have been. People find them later in themselves. This is life. Losing
and finding. Again and again. Making this strange massive vastness of the
world, our home. Making it familiar. We make it through to wherever we need to,
intact, evolved but just with a few soft unseen bits missing.
Happiness is an attitude. We
either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. The hardest
battle you are ever going to fight is the battle to be just you.
The only good luck great men
ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad
luck. Never be uncaring, but don't allow anyone to project their bad feelings
onto you either. Just giving people who are having a bad time some space of
their own may be exactly what they need. The sad part is that they do not know
when to give that much needed space.
As is the unwritten rule – Everything comes
in life at its own time and it is always the right time. It is only we who do
not recognize it as the right time.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
LOVE - A Mirage
LOVE - A Mirage?
Is LOVE an illusion like a Mirage? On a hot afternoon shining and dazzling, giving an impression of the life saving and thirst quenching gold - WATER.
Making us live life, attracting us towards itself like an agile deer prancing in the forest and chasing the sweet scent of the musk, which it does not know that it is coming from within.
A serene feeling like an Oasis in midst of a burning desert. The amazing satisfaction of the first sip of water touching your parched lips after going thirsty for days.
Making us live life, attracting us towards itself like an agile deer prancing in the forest and chasing the sweet scent of the musk, which it does not know that it is coming from within.
A serene feeling like an Oasis in midst of a burning desert. The amazing satisfaction of the first sip of water touching your parched lips after going thirsty for days.
True love makes us see the unseen and explore the unknown. Making us aware of what sensitivity is all about and exposes us to the emotions which we felt never existed in our universe, not experienced till yet and expressions not seen till now.
It takes intense passion and an overwhelming emotion to feel and experience true love. To the untouched it might be a fools paradise, but to the one smitten by the Love bug it is bliss. Only a love starved heart can value true love.
The flip side - cheated, hurt, bruised and battered. Hit madly like a tornado strike - shaken by the brute force, left in a shock and awe by the aftermath.
If love is so serene and pure then why is it not valued? Why is it not accepted? Strange but true.
It takes intense passion and an overwhelming emotion to feel and experience true love. To the untouched it might be a fools paradise, but to the one smitten by the Love bug it is bliss. Only a love starved heart can value true love.
The flip side - cheated, hurt, bruised and battered. Hit madly like a tornado strike - shaken by the brute force, left in a shock and awe by the aftermath.
If love is so serene and pure then why is it not valued? Why is it not accepted? Strange but true.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Relationships~2
Relationship~2
What do we expect in a relationship? Love, care, respect, Sensitivity? I think most of us expect these and we land up getting hurt, dejected and cheated at some point of time. The only thing I believe to expect in a relationship is ATTENTION. It brings full spectrum of emotions to a relationship. In my opinion it's a master key to life.
With attention you can achieve everything - Sensitivity, Love, Care, Respect, Humor, Upliftment and what not. Just being attentive to the needs of your own and others is all about Life.
Look at Nature - It has given it's unfailing attention to all the living things and it dutifully continues to do it every moment - we are bestowed by the attention. In the lap of nature we nurture ourselves and as a result we have the capability to soothe all around us.
A human being is the utmost insensitive and selfish creation of Nature.
With attention you can achieve everything - Sensitivity, Love, Care, Respect, Humor, Upliftment and what not. Just being attentive to the needs of your own and others is all about Life.
Look at Nature - It has given it's unfailing attention to all the living things and it dutifully continues to do it every moment - we are bestowed by the attention. In the lap of nature we nurture ourselves and as a result we have the capability to soothe all around us.
A human being is the utmost insensitive and selfish creation of Nature.
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