Bronnie Ware, a nurse who has counselled the dying in their last days, has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. Bronnie writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again and again”. The top 5 were:
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 hadn't worked 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.
Lyrics
Wife: The time draws near. I have to go.
My life is gone. Too soon I know.
The places I didn’t get to. The family I’ll never see.
The things I wanted most to do. They will never be.
Husband: But you loved me.
Children: But you loved me.
Wife: The years go fast. Things left too late.
Looking back now, I would not wait.
You think you will have the time, a time for dreams to be.
Freedom for what I want to do - things I’ll never see.
Husband: But you loved me.
Children: But you loved me.
Husband: You gave yourself. You loved me so.
Our lives were full. No, please don’t go.
We both gave up a lot for love. There should be no regret.
The life we chose changed our dreams but look at what we have left.
Husband and
Children: You gave yourself. You loved us so.
Our lives were full. No, please don’t go.
We all gave up a lot for love. There should be no regret.
The life we chose changed our dreams but look at what we have left.
Stranger: I was a stranger, yet you fed me.
You gave me water too.
You helped me get up on my feet.
It helped me start anew.
I was lonely and you visited.
You cheered me up no end.
I was grieving and your shoulder
Was offered like a friend.
Come with me now. The pain will go.
The crying will all cease.
Your dreams are not over yet,
but you will be at peace.
The ones that you leave behind
Will one day follow you.
Your life was one full of love
Well done for being true.
Husband: And you loved me.
Children: And you loved me.
Stranger: And you loved me.