Nurse reveals incredible life lessons by working with people in the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. Never underestimate someones capacity to grow and mature when forced to face the real issues of life. When these people were questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced that we should learn by today! Here are the common top five:
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 you look back, it’s easy to see how dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people face death with knowing they may have missed the mark due to choices they had made, or not made. It is extremely important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way. Live your life to please you and then through the happiness of fulfillment, you can bring pleasing effects to others around you. Give special attention to your dreams and invest towards them! Dreams do come true occasionally.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
This came from EVERY MALE patient she nursed. So often, we get engaged in the thought process of feeling the need to be a provider, and unfortunately in the wake of it, miss our children’s growth and special events along with our partner’s companionship. Don’t misunderstand me, God expects us to provide and scriptures charge us with consequences if we don’t. But by simplifying our lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible that you don’t need the income that you think you do to have a great life. According to 2013 stats by banking annalist, the average american is in debt up to $225,000.00. By creating the thought to keep up with the status quot, we pile upon ourselves the need to need more, work harder to pay for it, and go in debt to try and get it. You would be much happier if you would just live simple and enjoy the life of those around you.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppress their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. While it is true God wants us all to be peacemakers with each other, we also cannot control the reactions of others when we are free to express who we are and how we feel. Some people respond to people expressing their freedom to live out of jealousy or envy sparking ill feelings. Although people may initially react to your honesty and openness to be yourself, in the end, we must believe it will challenge those relationships to mature and rise to a healthier level. The other side of reaction is that it may release the unhealthy relationships from your life. Some would consider this a win/win.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often people don’t truly realize the full benefits of old friends. Many times, it comes to late. Be careful not to get so caught up in your own life that you let go of golden friendships and relationships that God probably had intended you to have. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends in the time that they need them the most. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with difficulty, and you don’t want to tread in that alone, that is the time that you will reach out to those who are close to you. Make sure you have someone there!
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common regret. Many people do not realize until the end of their life that happiness is a choice. Old patterns and habits had robbed them of true happiness and making choices that would take them into more of a variety of life. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to themselves that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have a touch of silliness in their life again.
Don’t wait until your life is nearly over to start thinking about the most important things pertaining to life. Life is a choice. It is YOUR life and YOUR choice! Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness and be happy with who God created you to be!