Regrets of the Dying

[Tortoise]

A woman named Bronnie Ware who worked for years with the dying wrote a list of the top five regrets that she heard people express on their deathbed.

Some of these reminded me of ideas that Harry Browne wrote about in How I Found Freedom In an Unfree World.

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 didn't work 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.
Source: http://www.inspirationandchai.com/Regre ... Dying.html

[TripleB]

I don't remember the source but I've heard it quoted a few times.

One of the things that is never said on someone's death bed is "I wish I worked more hours."

So when you're doing 60+ hours per week at work and coming home too tired to do anything but eat fast food and watch TV until you pass out, keep that in mind.

[Ad Orientem]

I don't remember the source but I've heard it quoted a few times.

One of the things that is never said on someone's death bed is "I wish I worked more hours."

So when you're doing 60+ hours per week at work and coming home too tired to do anything but eat fast food and watch TV until you pass out, keep that in mind.

I heard that once many years ago from a priest in a sermon.  He said that he had heard a lot of death bed confessions but the one he had never heard was "I wish I had spent more time in the office."  There are not a lot of sermons that produced lines that have stuck with me for decades.  I think perhaps we would all be better people if we paused from time to time to recall that we have a limited amount of time in this world, and most of us don't get a lot of advance notice on when that time is up.

[gizmo_rat]

I heard that once many years ago from a priest in a sermon.  He said that he had heard a lot of death bed confessions but the one he had never heard was "I wish I had spent more time in the office." 

From the article
All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship.

A few years ago I had cause to reflect on childhood memories of my [now estranged] father, and was shocked to realise that I had very few. I came to the painful realisation that the same would be true of my children unless I did something about it. Now, they may remember me as a slacker but at least they will remember me

I'm heartened by the growing awareness of financial independence, and the opportunities for avoidance of future regret.
     

[Bob]

So many people furiously climbing the ladder of success - only to get to the top and find out that their ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. 

[moda0306]

So many people furiously climbing the ladder of success - only to get to the top and find out that their ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. 

Good one!

[Lone Wolf]

A woman named Bronnie Ware who worked for years with the dying wrote a list of the top five regrets that she heard people express on their deathbed.

Some of these reminded me of ideas that Harry Browne wrote about in How I Found Freedom In an Unfree World.

Yes, it's striking how well this list flows with Browne's advice.

Life really is meant to be good.  You don't have to be anybody but you and it's a sin to waste time trying to live anybody's life but your own.

A few years ago I had cause to reflect on childhood memories of my [now estranged] father, and was shocked to realise that I had very few. I came to the painful realisation that the same would be true of my children unless I did something about it. Now, they may remember me as a slacker but at least they will remember me

That's great!  While I find productive achievement to be one of life's genuine pleasures, having kids and a family just blows it away.  (Fortunately you can do both!)