Top Regrets 7 - 10

 I have talked about the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Australian author Bronnie Ware is an Australian author. For several years, Bronnie sat by the bedsides of dying people. The conversations shared were personal, life-changing, and enormously insightful.

NUMBER 7:

I wish I had children.

As people age, they often feel lonely and long for the company of their sons and daughters. Those who never had children often have regrets about having no one to comfort them or inherit their legacy.

With today’s modern thinking, kids may be viewed as inconveniences or hindrances to pursuing your goals. But keep in mind that your children will be the ones to show you love when you are old. They will also be the ones to whom you will entrust everything you’ve worked hard for after you’re gone.

Maybe that ship has sailed, but who can you become a father or mother figure to that would be meaningful for both of you?

What steps can you take right now to begin to make a difference in someone’s life?

NUMBER 8:

I should have saved more money for my retirement.

Failing to plan for the retirement years leaves people destitute in their old age. When that happens, their last moments on earth can be challenging and miserable.

While you are young, you might not yet grasp the reality of retirement, but it’s essential to plan for yourself. Be careful not to spend too much on things you think you need now; think about providing a comfortable life for yourself in the future.

Questions:

·        What can you do today to help shore up your retirement savings?

·        What step can you take today to get you started down that path?

NUMBER 9:

Not having the courage to live truthfully.

Looking back, people would wonder whether things would have been better if they were truly honest about who they were.

They think about the distress they caused themselves and others by pretending to be someone they’re not. You will naturally have concerns about whether people would reject you or accept you if you came clean; you might find it easier to compromise yourself just to be liked or loved. If you don’t yet dare to be truthful to others, you can start being honest to yourself.

Who are you at your core, and what perception have you put out into the world that isn’t your true self?

What steps or actions can you take today to rectify that situation and live authentically?

NUMBER 10:

Happiness is always a choice.

People rarely realize that they can choose to be happy. It’s so easy to play the victim of circumstance and prevent yourself from moving on in your life. You tend to settle for mediocrity because it’s familiar; you pretend to be content because you’re too afraid to explore.

Choose to have a happy life. Be unafraid of change, and don’t worry about what others think of you. Instead, learn to relax and appreciate the good things.

Life is what you make it. Don’t allow yourself to be plagued by regrets. A well-lived life begins today. What can you do today to choose happiness and make that a proactive choice moving forward?

Question:

·   What areas in your life have you played the “victim,” and how can you rectify that now?