Hospice nurse Bronnie Ware pens eye-opening book*
In it, she lists the top five regrets of those lying on their death beds.
“Five things many people regret at the end of their lives” …
- I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- I wish I had not worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had kept in touch with my friends.
- I wish that I had let myself be happier.
If there is one of these above others to reflect upon, make it #1.
When we are living the life and doing things we think we should be doing, we are acting out of rationalization, instead of inspiration. When making choices you believe you have to do, or should do, two things often happen:
- First, we become disconnected from our mind, body, inner self and purpose for living
- Secondly, we are attempting to live up to someone’s or something’s expectations. This usually leads to judgement, most often, of oneself.
These two results perpetuate a vicious cycle, in that as we begin judging and berating ourself with negative internal dialogue, we avoid the issue at hand. This may quiet the negative internal-conflict temporarily, but does not resolve the problem. By putting our challenges on the back burner and avoiding them, this increases the disconnect further. We see this resulting in avoiding uncomfortable yet necessary dialogue with loved ones, losing touch with our hunger cues, manifesting physical aches and pains throughout our body and ultimately becoming a victim of our experience.
Instead, replace phrases like, “have to”, “should”, and “need to” with “want to.” Each day, remind yourself that you do not HAVE to do anything. At some level, you WANT to act. You want the result of whatever choice you are making. This empowers you, allows you to own the choice at hand and puts you in an inspired position to act. If you make time to quiet your mind and listen for that often subtle inner voice, (shutting off the TV, getting off Facebook, going for a walk without head phones, turning your cell phone off) you can successfully navigate your actions according to where your spirit is leading you.
*Bronnie Ware’s web site is here – The official site of Bronnie Ware
** Ms. Ware’s book that is referenced above can be found on Amazon:
