Are you living YOUR life?

[pcmaster]

[AdminOnline]

5 common regrets of the dying

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 realize 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 honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.

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.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

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.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

Often they would not truly realize 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.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize 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 silliness in their life again.
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

[AdminOnline]

Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

“Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

A person asked Confucius: "What surprises you most about mankind?"

"What surprises you most about mankind?"

Confucius answered:

They lose their health to make wealth and then lose their wealth to restore their health.

By thinking anxiously about the future,? they forget the present, such as that they live neither as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived....."

[pcmaster]

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues, or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest grocery store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter . Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

[fearoflove]

Yes, it is actually quite sad. This is the disease of society. This is why I plan to do start a career in something that have a work-life balance (challenging but still give me time to enjoy the fruits of my labour) and I am beginning to question the sort of traditional life path (get married at a certain age, have kids, etc) and if that is what I really want.

[pcmaster]

Actually 5 years ago this WORK virus was real funny. Shared it on a online gaming forum and everyone were laughting. But now its not that funny anymore. After you get to know virus from inside. It have real potential to kill any relationship and suck the life out of you if you let it.

Good old 40 hours a week makes so much sense. Infact anything more than that is slavery. Sometimes you just have to look at yourself like a friend and ask WTH are you doing?

[basilandthyme]

Yes, it is actually quite sad. This is the disease of society. This is why I plan to do start a career in something that have a work-life balance (challenging but still give me time to enjoy the fruits of my labour) and I am beginning to question the sort of traditional life path (get married at a certain age, have kids, etc) and if that is what I really want.

I'm amazed at the number of posters who put their career so high in their priority list. Sure, it's important to be employable....but is it so important that relationships should be sacrificed in order to attend the *right* university or because of ambition?

I recall watching Grey's Anatomy when Dr Bailey wanted to extend her career - but the cost would be significantly less time with her husband and child. Husband gave he an ultimatum and she chose the job - because she didn't want a man who didn't support her. I found it interesting that the series didn't explore his point of view at all. Is it really so selfish to want a partner who puts spending time with family above career? I thought it was very selfish to make a career choice which would mean spending so little time with husband and child.

[fearoflove]

I'm amazed at the number of posters who put their career so high in their priority list. Sure, it's important to be employable....but is it so important that relationships should be sacrificed in order to attend the *right* university or because of ambition?

I recall watching Grey's Anatomy when Dr Bailey wanted to extend her career - but the cost would be significantly less time with her husband and child. Husband gave he an ultimatum and she chose the job - because she didn't want a man who didn't support her. I found it interesting that the series didn't explore his point of view at all. Is it really so selfish to want a partner who puts spending time with family above career? I thought it was very selfish to make a career choice which would mean spending so little time with husband and child.

My questioning about starting a family doesn't have to do with wanting to pursue my career plans. But I'm sure alot of people think like that. I just don't know if getting married, having kids, having that traditional family structure would make me happy, you know? What if I don't find the right person in time to have my own kids? I don't know if i want to force myself to rush into marriage and kids. Women are under the pressure to get married and have kids when they reach a certain age if they plan to have a family (or else they will miss the opportunity all together). I don't know if I want to put myself under that pressure. Perhaps, I might be happier if I just take my time and get married when I find the right person. I do want kids so maybe I can adopt or get a sperm donation. This way, I do things when I want to and maximize my freedom.