New PN: The Top Five Regrets of the Dying
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A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departedby Bronnie Ware |
“None of the life reviews I witnessed from the side of deathbeds included the wish that they had bought or owned more, not even one. Instead, what most occupied the thoughts of dying people were how they lived their lives, what they did, and whether they had made a positive difference to those they left behind, whether that was family, community or whoever."BRONNIE WARE |
FROM THE BOOK“The wind howled with fierce determination outside a tiny cottage in the Blue Mountains of Australia.
With a cup of tea nearby I was cosy inside, typing away happily while absorbed in my writing. It was 2009 and the second article in my newly formed blog, Inspiration and Chai was unravelling. The article was called Regrets of the Dying. It flowed completely of its own accord, without hesitation, simply drawing upon powerful, clear memories. For the previous eight years, I had repeatedly been offered lessons and life-changing insights, while sitting by the bedsides of dying people as their carer and listener. The article spread like wildfire to all corners of the globe. After numerous requests, I found the courage to share the wisdom in more depth. To do so, I had to tell my own story and how the regrets of the dying had changed me. My real-life journey into regret-free living was an example of life’s challenges. There was no point just sharing the regrets. I had done that in the article. When some of my dying patients had insisted I share their message onward, they meant so others could fully grasp the anguish and heartache that dying with regrets causes. They wanted me to help others find the courage they had lacked. I came to understand just how difficult it is to let go of all that stops us being our absolute best self. Living regret-free is not something achievable in a flash. It is created by an ongoing day-to-day process of conscious decisions, loving actions to ourselves, and a whole bucket full of courage. It is my heartfelt intention and hope that this book assists you in finding that courage for change. May the remainder of your life be changed in the best of ways through the sharing of this tale.” |
Brian's Notes
Bronnie Ware is an author, speaker and songwriter based in northern New South Wales, Australia who spent years caring for individuals in the process of dying.
In this memoir-style book, she shares, as you guessed from the title, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying and, as per the sub-title, how her own life was “transformed from the dearly departing.”
I know you want to know what those Top Five Regrets of the Dying are so here you go:
Regret #1: I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
Regret #2: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
Regret #3: I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Regret #4: I wish I’d stayed in touch with friends.
Regret #5: I wish I had let myself be happier.
The book is told through the lens of one woman’s hero’s journey and is packed with wise insights on how we can all show up as our best and arrive at the end of our lives with less regrets. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Ideas so let’s jump straight in.
P.S. Dan Pink wrote a whole book on the SCIENCE of regret called The Power of Regret. It’s fantastic. He tells us that it’s not so much about living “regret-free” as it is making sure we *use* our regrets to make better decisions NOW. We’re going to start by talking about that.
In this memoir-style book, she shares, as you guessed from the title, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying and, as per the sub-title, how her own life was “transformed from the dearly departing.”
I know you want to know what those Top Five Regrets of the Dying are so here you go:
Regret #1: I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
Regret #2: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
Regret #3: I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Regret #4: I wish I’d stayed in touch with friends.
Regret #5: I wish I had let myself be happier.
The book is told through the lens of one woman’s hero’s journey and is packed with wise insights on how we can all show up as our best and arrive at the end of our lives with less regrets. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Ideas so let’s jump straight in.
P.S. Dan Pink wrote a whole book on the SCIENCE of regret called The Power of Regret. It’s fantastic. He tells us that it’s not so much about living “regret-free” as it is making sure we *use* our regrets to make better decisions NOW. We’re going to start by talking about that.
Big Ideas
01: ON REGRET
02: ON DEATH
03: THE #1 REGRET
04: PURPOSE
05: HAPPINESS
“Of all the regrets and lessons shared with me as I sat beside their beds, the regret of not having lived a life true to themselves was the most common of all. It was also the one that caused the most frustration, as the client’s realization came too late."BRONNIE WARE |
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