Top 5 Regrets in Life

I came across this article and thought it was an interesting read. A woman who had worked with dying patients in palliative care documented their top regrets. Reading stuff like this puts a lot of things in perspective for me. If I were to somehow land in the ICU tomorrow after a fatal accident, these regrets could surely be mine as well. While trying to avoid any cliche's as possible, this reminded me of how fleeting life is, and that our time here is not as unlimited as we imagine it to be.

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 realise 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 honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made."

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."

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
"Often they would not truly realise 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."
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise 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 sillyness in their life again."

Learn from others. If I were to die tomorrow, my biggest regret would be constantly worrying about the future. It's natural to worry, but not to let it consume the present. I need to let go and trust that God has plans for me--big or small, and he'll take there by whatever means. Everything works out exactly as they should and in accordance to God's timing. Turns out things worked out better for me than I had planned...or ever had imagined. God's blessed me with so much more than I ever could imagine. He's been gracious. I need to let go of my fears and trust that whatever happens, He works for my good, which is ultimately His good and that his ways are higher than my ways.

I think 5 years from now, I'd look back at this moment and give myself the same advice I would give to myself 5 years ago. Stop worrying, and let yourself be happy.