Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Top Five Regrets of the Dying

Bronnie Ware was/is a palliative care nurse that took note of the 5 main regrets that people have when they are dying.  She wrote a book on it.  I haven't read it but I've come across this information several times and #2 really speaks to me these days.

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 hadn't worked 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.

(Gary probably wishes I did a little less of #3:)

I don't know if my mom had any regrets, I never asked her.  I know my dad, who has faced death several times, is definitely living life to the fullest.  He did work hard but he always made sure to take wonderful holidays with my mom and with us.  He retired early.  He always wanted to fly and now not only is he doing that, but, he just bought a plane:)  Crazy guy.  I'll have pictures at the end of him in his plane.

For me, I love work.  However, I really want to make sure that it doesn't take the place of my health (exercise), my family, my husband, my home, time with God (I will not tell you how often I read the Bible but I will say it's ridiculous), time with friends etc.  This season, well, mostly October, is THE biggest time photography wise.   I have had to say no to so many wonderful people and it's hard for me but I know it's better than the alternative which is being stressed with too much work.  I am very excited to be teaching two full classes as I do miss teaching.  That is something that I can do in the evenings and therefore it does not take away from my family.  

I have worked very hard my whole life.  Even all through university, I worked (yay, no student debt!) through the school year and full time in the summers.  I don't regret how hard/much I worked.  However, now I have a few kiddos and a husband that are more important to me.  I just keep thinking back to #2, I do not want to regret working too hard. 

And, here are some pictures of my dad not working too hard.  Or maybe  he worked hard so that he could enjoy things like his new plane (which we will NOT be going up in:)  Last week, he flew to Vancouver Island with his flight school buddy, Brayden, and they took my auntie Nellie (who started her chemo today) up in the air and around Tofino.  Beautiful area!


Have a wonderful week!
Love, Louise

2 comments:

  1. So hard not to think like that (in the "hope I don't die soon" way), but at the same time thinking like that (in the "live life to the fullest" way)

    Awesome that your dad got a plane too. What airport will he keep it at? I could see our dads getting along!

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  2. Thanks for this thoughtful post Louise. You always give me things to think about.

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