It’s easy for us to get caught up in our lives. We have responsibilities, obligations, children to raise, jobs, you name it, the list is endless.
But, are we really living our lives? Am I? Are you?
I ran into a wonderful article this weekend that was written by a woman, Bonnie Ware, who works with people who were in the process of leaving this earth. When she asked them what they would have done differently in their lives, there were five common themes. I’m happy to share them with you here.
The Top 5 Regrets
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 realize 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 have had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way.
From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.
2. I wish I didn’t work 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.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings – Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends – Often they would not truly realize 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.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier
This is a surprisingly common one.
Many did not realize 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.
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.
Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.
My life had gotten to the point where I dreaded going to my job so much that that dread started on Saturdays!
Sound familiar?
http://youtu.be/t1PTwnUlHdU
Hiking the South Lykken Trail Palm Springs
This trail is super beautiful! It’s uphill, moderately difficult trail that has a beautiful view and some picnic tables about 45 minutes in that allow beginner hikers (like me) to take a break and enjoy the amazing view of the Coachella Valley. The South Lykken Trail in Palm Springs is a great place for your first hike.
For almost 10 years, at this writing, I’ve been working with great people all over the world that have fired their bosses and built a lifestyle by their own design.
One of my principles of success is to follow in the footsteps of people that are already having the success that I’m looking to have myself. I was very fortunate to meet early-on in my entrepreneurial career, a group of highly-successful internet marketers that helped me.
Now, after becoming one of the top earners in my first opportunity, THE #1 performer in another, publishing a best-selling book and co-founding my own company (phew – sounds like a LOT!), I’ve reunited with this uber-successful group of marketers again at the Empower Network.
Karla Silver and Empower Network
Empower Network is the fastest and most efficient route for any new (or experienced) entrepreneur to get into profit fast, while learning the most recent methods for building your marketing list and building a brand.
Stop chasing things that don’t work, or take years to build!
What I want to do now is assist YOU, as quickly as possible, to achieve the success that you deserve, and even greater success, using proven methods and a straightforward approach that works regardless of:
– whether you’ve failed in the past
– whether you can “sell” or not
– whether your goals are large or small
– whether your friends and family think you’re crazy
– whether you’ve got experience online or not
– and whether you’ve been job-free for years like me or are just getting started for the first time today.
Empower Network fills the gap for people who don’t have the patience for standard affiliate programs and MLM, or aren’t cut out for high-ticket direct sales or franchising. The methods taught here will work to build those types of programs if you are so inclined (thousands of people here are engaged in other businesses in addition to Empower Network), but while you are learning you’ll be earning handsome commissions with EN.
I encourage you to do as much due diligence as you need to make an informed decision for yourself.. That’s what I did, and the more I explored the content and the depth of value that is contained here the more I was sold on the whole program and concept.
The worst decision you could make is NOT to decide.
I do NOT believe in watching television. I’m a big advocate of spending (notice the word “spending”) my time doing productive things like… well… anything that moves one forward.
However, I must say that for the past six or so months, I’ve been glued to Netflix, etc watching, and re-watching, “Downton Abbey.”
I’m sure that I watch this programme (I couldn’t resist the British spelling ) for the same reasons that so many “average” people watch… it’s a great glimpse into what “wealthy” meant in 19th century England. It’s a wonderful period piece that examines the chasm between the “upstairs” and “downstairs” of Edwardian England, and, of course, it’s a well-written SOAP OPERA!
However, one of the great take-aways that i get from the programme is the great use of MANNERS. I love MANNERS. I believe in Manners.
I once read that manners were the great “social lubricant.” Manners give us the rules, by which we know what to do and when. What to say and when, and how to fit into any situation without worrying what people will say, because we’ve played by the rules of “manners.”
I’m frequently mocked by people in I know, including some of my friends that have clearly told me that manners don’t matter any more.
I completely disagree.
Without manners, we have those people that wear completely inappropriate clothing out in public. Without manners, a hostess throws a dinner party without any thanks or recognition. Without manners, we dine at a restaurant listening to other’s cell phones and text messages. Without manners, none of us knows how to begin a civilized conversation. Without manners, bad language continues to become more and more accepted.
Have I been guilty of any of these indescretions… you bet.
People that observe social graces clearly identify with others that observe the same graces. We know each other. From the receptionist at a hotel, to the matre’d a a restaurant, to the host or hostess that invites us to dinner, to the gentleman that holds the door for an unknown lady. We know each other, and we will continue to gravitate to one another, because manners make the man or woman and people with manners WANT to be with others with manners.
I hold in highest regard those gentlemen and gentlewoman that strive to keep all the manners, old-fashioned and new-fashioned.
) for the same reasons that so many “average” people watch… it’s a great glimpse into what “wealthy” meant in 19th century England. It’s a wonderful period piece that examines the chasm between the “upstairs” and “downstairs” of Edwardian England, and, of course, it’s a well-written SOAP OPERA!