The Top 5 Regrets of The Dying

[MrPlum]

How many of these top 5 regrets are going to be uttered by members?

http://www.collective-evolution.com/201 ... olution%29

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 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 had to die 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. 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 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 when they are dying.”

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

”This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise 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.”

[eden8]

Thanks for sharing.

[richard]

REGRETS when I die????? NONE

I've had a varied and interesting life to date and if a wild elephant or a Ford pickup driver mows me down today my time is up.

Life is an experience and there are many crossroads. Some decisions you get right and some wrong BUT even with a wrong decision (in hindsight) it has opened a new door, and a new chapter in your life

Life's too short so make the most of it.

If I did have an inkling of a regret it would be I never really managed to learn about moderation but then, I'd have been a really bored and boring person to know

[sargeant]

Absolutely none at all

I have had a lot of ups and some deeply bad times but and it is a big BUT i would NOT be in the seriously VERY HAPPY place i am now. So i look at it that it was those experiences that have been the road to where i am at now and trained me to be grateful for what i have got.

I am also very proud to know i did what i believed to be correct used my own god given brain (not someone elses) and worked it all out for myself to get here

[Siani]

I really don't have any "regrets" as such.
Maybe I should have thought of myself more, rather than worry about other people, but this is in my nature, something beyond my control If I had done this though, I would probably have ended up thinking I had been selfish putting myself first and regretted that....no win situation

[J.J.B.]

When you say "I wish..." you make a tacit admission that you are not in control of your life. There's no point 'wishing' for anything.

So many of us have such diverse and rich lives with some really quite amazing stories to tell and memories to relive again and again. Despite mistakes I've made, good fortune I've encountered, decisions that have sometimes felt out of my control, I'm a firm believer that it is preferable to regret the things you did, rather than the things you failed to do.

[MrPlum]

Grasshopper minds please hop to a topic where empty one-liners await.

The former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman was asked at the end of his life if he had any regrets. He answered: 'Not enough sex.' There's a few here who won't be saying that.

Regrets can be debilitating. I have been privileged enough to be allowed into the minds and histories of quite a few people. It's troubling that so many carry around wounds of one kind or another (the chains that bind you). Left untended, they will carry them to the grave. When you ask them what issues they have, they struggle to come up with 10. Once you start to dig, you invariably identify dozens more. A few core issues can set off little forest fires all over the place.

You can dissolve them if you are skilful or lucky. You can lock them away in your mental cell and throw away the key and perhaps they will stay quiet and not disturb you. Or you can demonstrate mental control and purge any negative thoughts that enter your head. Don't give them house room. I've met people who are good at this. What struck me was how many people just lived with their 'chains'. They don't know how to dissolve whatever is bothering them. They have never seriously tried to tackle them. Just apply sticking plaster of various types (drowning one's sorrows).

I have 'issues' of my own (who doesn't) but I'm comfortable with them because they are part of my character. None keep me awake at night. I have yet to meet the perfect man or woman (unless it's after 3 shandys). Even those who project ease and confidence are often deeply troubled inside.

My interest in health means I most identify with number 1. If your health is poor, you are not going to enjoy life. Most people understand this but nevertheless leave it until it's too late.

If I have any regrets about fulfilling dreams (travelling the world, getting the hell out of Dodge) it's that I spent so much time trying to live a conformist life. Some people should not be shackled. Freedom is a major part of their make-up. Not sure how this equates to 'Butterflies'.. the need for some men to have sex with as many women as they can get their hands on! That impulse isn't necessarily spiritual or virtuous. Our animal instincts are supposed to be tempered with a touch of self-control. This does not apply in Bintabaht.

I'm pretty confident that on my deathbed I shall say my biggest regret is not posting more.

[sand_dancer]

In the words of Ol' Blue Eyes.....

Regrets..... I've had a few..... But then again..... Too few to mention.....

Regrets.... Nothing more than chains and anchors that drag you down and stop you moving forward.....

Life is for living..... Not regretting..... Life is a journey..... Accept that on this journey you will make a few f**k ups.... Its human nature.....

Its these f**k ups that mould us into who we are...... And ultimately make us a better person ( In most cases ).....

Regrets are for those who never really lived.....

[Dannie Boy]

MrPlum

I'm pretty confident that on my deathbed I shall say my biggest regret is not posting more.

Not sure too many will agree with you there!!

[MrPlum]

MrPlum

I'm pretty confident that on my deathbed I shall say my biggest regret is not posting more.

Not sure too many will agree with you there!!

Sigh...