Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing

by Bronnie Ware

Promise this dying woman that you will always be true to yourself, that you will be brave enough to live the way you want to, regardless of what other people say.’

We discussed how the only way to experience love is to accept people for who they are and have no expectations of them. While it may be much easier said than done, it was the most loving approach possible.

We spend so much time making plans for the future, often depending on things happening at a later date to assure our happiness or assuming we have all the time in the world, when all we ever have is our life today.

think I was scared. Yes, I was. I was petrified. My role had come to define me in a way. Of course now as I sit here dying, I see that just being a good person is more than enough in life.

John thought out loud, his random sentences filled with sadness for both past and future generations who wanted everything, basing their importance on what they owned and what they did, rather than on who they were in their hearts. ‘There’s nothing wrong with wanting a better life. Don’t

‘People play the victim forever,’ she continued. ‘But who are they kidding? They are only robbing themselves. Life doesn’t owe you anything. Neither does anyone else. Only you owe yourself. So the best way to make the most out of life is to appreciate the gift of it, and choose not to be a victim.’

No-one owes us anything,’ she continued. ‘We only owe it to ourselves to get off our backsides, count our blessings, and face our challenges. When you live from that perspective, the gifts pour forth.’ I loved this woman.

Watching the tears fall down that lovely old man’s face, as he longed to be known and understood, changed me forever.

The longer you delay your honest expression, the less you are honouring the precious gift of your life and others.