HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR PAST?

There was no mention of climbing Mt. Everest or bungee jumping. Bronnie Ware, a palliative nurse who has counselled the elderly in their last days, has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain in their last days, 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 four regrets of the elderly, as witnessed by Ware:
1. .......................................................................................: This was the most common regret of all. When people realise 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 honoured even a half of their dreams, and died knowing that it was due to choices they had made or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise until they no longer have it.
2. ......................................................................................: 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. .......................................................................................: 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. ........................................................................................: Often they would not truly realise 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 at the end of their lives. (Reading text adapted from success)