BOOK SUMMARY: "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying" by Bronnie Ware (31 August 2011)

 

 

This book, "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying", was written by Ms Bronnie Ware, an Australian palliative-care nurse who worked for several years with terminally-ill patients in their last 3 to 12 weeks of life.  In it, she recounted the common answers given by the patients when they were asked about any possible regrets in their lives or anything they would have done differently.

What emerged from the clarity of vision experienced by the dying are five common responses that constitute vital lessons for the rest of us who are going about our lives complacently. 

The five common responses 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 didn't work 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."

My solution:

 

If we take a few moments to reflect on our lives, we will realize that on our deathbed, we would probably have similar regrets.  If so, our lives would not have been successful.

 

I think we should take immediate action as follows:

 

1.  We must maintain our authenticity.  Authenticity is the degree to which we are true to our own personality, spirit, or character.  It must prevail despite many constraining external forces, pressures and influences.
 

2.  We must find more balance in our lives.  We should not allow our lives to be defined by our jobs.  We must believe in the intrinsic value and dignity of our individuality.

 

3.  We should acquire the moral courage to speak our minds and to act according to our beliefs.

 

4.  Have at least one true friend that we can trust completely.

5.  Learn about the requirements of true fulfillment and pursue them relentlessly.