Living life without regret is a big concept, a huge challenge and significant undertaking. But I am 100% certain that you, and me, are worth it.
I really enjoy the weekly podcasts from Marie Forleo called Marie TV. She shares her wisdom about the challenges of creating the business and life that you love. Quite often Marie will interview someone with a strong positive message. Last month she interviewed Bronnie Ware about her book and work as a palliative caregiver. Her message resonated with me and I created the sketchnote above to remind myself of the important messages and to share the messages from her wise friends with others.
I bought Bronnie’s book and enjoyed the stories wrapped around the Five Regrets, both her personal story and the stories of people she cared for. It’s really an uplifting and beautiful read.
One particular fellow had joined a community of rowers later in life and as his final days approached, his active friends were regular visitors. As a person who plans to row for life, this story struck a cord for me.
You’re probably wondering what the Five Regrets are:
#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 I had let myself be happier.
It’s Sunday morning as I write this newsletter. I wonder if just maybe…..I need to look at #2. That said, I definitely take time for myself. Here’s a photo of the sunrise view from my bed a couple of weeks ago up at Yellow Point Lodge a place I go regularly to recharge my internal batteries. As I’ve said before, some people have therapists, I have Yellow Point.
Love this quote written in 1890 by Crowfoot. “What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”
Life is everywhere, is fleeting and is beautiful. I’m working on having no regrets. This quote by Mary Oliver really speaks to me.
Thinking about end of life can be scary. What will you say when your time comes? Wouldn’t you like the chance to say something truly memorable now while you can? We’re listening.
