Everyone dies. But not everyone truly lives.
Even worse? Not everyone lives the way they dreamed they would.
I discovered this in “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying” by Bronnie Ware.
This book hit me hard.
Bronnie was an Australian nurse. She spent eight years with people in their final months.
Just listening. Just being there.
What she learned? It’s powerful.
When people face the end, everything becomes clear.
Crystal clear. But here’s the tragedy – it’s too late.
Let me share what she found:
1. “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
This one hurts. Especially for women who felt stuck in roles they never chose.
But wait till you hear what the men said…
2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
This hit every single man. Hard.
Missed birthdays. Skipped anniversaries. Lost moments.
All those extra hours at the office? They stole the best parts of life.
Dreams died waiting for ‘someday’.
3. “I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”
They played it safe. Kept quiet. Stayed ‘nice’.
The cost? A life half-lived.
4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
Simple. Real. Raw.
5. “I wish I had let myself be happier.”
They finally saw it. Happiness was a choice. Always was.
Always is.
Made me think: Am I really living? Or just checking boxes?
Time doesn’t wait.
You will not regret what you did do.
You will regret what you did NOT do.
Maybe it’s time to stop grinding for stuff that won’t matter.
Start living for what will.
Right now.
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